Can Goal Setting Actually Be Counter-Productive?

Even though I've been a big goal-setter during my adult years, and especially over the past 10 years, the following is a different look at what you can do to achieve your maximum potential.

Vision, Motion and Gravitation

by Lee Brower

Have you ever set a goal? Have you ever set a goal and not achieved it? Hmmm…. Have you ever set the same goal again and not achieved it? And again?

When you reset goals, how do you feel? What is your self-talk telling you? Does your self-talk move you into the realm of negativity—bringing with it the negative vibrations that perhaps attract even more of the negative results you are working so hard to leave behind?

Are we bombarded to the point of redundancy that we must be a “goal setter—goal achiever” to succeed? Accepting the premise that unless we achieve our goals in the expected timeframe we are not succeeding; then, this attitude of underachieving, or, in some cases perceived failure, derails our intentions to accomplish all we are capable of achieving. The improper use of goals has unintentionally done more to disappoint the expectations (both from self and those imposed by others) of entrepreneurs, family leaders, and our youth than all of the good that may come from successful goal setting.

A recent working paper that is a collaboration of associates from Harvard Business School; Eller College of Management, University of Arizona; Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; and, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, states:
“In this article, we argue that the beneficial effects of goal setting have been overstated and that systematic harm caused by goal setting has been largely ignored. We identify specific side effects associated with goal setting, including a narrow focus that neglects non-goal areas, a rise in unethical behavior, distorted risk preferences, corrosion of organizational culture, and reduced intrinsic motivation.”

So, what do we counter with? How do we increase performance without the potential side effects of traditional goal setting?

In Chapter 10 of The Brower Quadrant, I discuss the concept of “motion theory,” including the power of vision, the simplicity and effectiveness of the Pringles and a step-by-step process for achieving faster and with less effort. Let me expand that thought with the concept of “gravitation.”

For gravitation to have an effect, more than one object must be present and at least one of the objects must be in motion. When a bee leaves the hive in search of nectar, the even bigger “precessional” effect is the unintended, but more impactful, gravitational attraction of pollen to the feet and wings of the bee. If the bee had never had the vision of collecting nectar, had never left the hive—the gravitational benefit of pollen to all of the rooted botanicals in the world, would not occur.

How about you? It is one thing to have a goal. And one may say that is the vision. But the goal seems overwhelming or the obstacles appear and then we become paralyzed unable to take advantage of the gravitational, and many times incredibly larger result. The goal is not the vision … the vision is who you are once you have passed certain milestones. For example, if I desire to be a father/grandfather who runs and plays with my children and grandchildren into old age—enjoying my health—then that is the vision that inspires and motivates me. The “pringle” or initial motion (once an object is in motion, it tends to stay in motion) may be putting on my workout clothes and doing one push-up every day. It is important I celebrate that achievement even if it is only one push-up, consequently attracting more positive energy.

So, establish your vision, share it often and visit it frequently. Get in motion in the right direction and be aware of gravitational attraction that will bring you greater relationships and opportunities that you had never imagined. And then don’t forget to celebrate every “pringle” along the way.

(An interesting take that may require some time to process and evaluate)