I have given up on goals completely. Sorry Tony Robbins, your “Peak State,” only lasts to the end of the show…and for the price of admission, I can live in India for two months where I feel better about myself almost continuously because I’m surrounded by poor people.

Sorry Tony, we're through.

I’m not a stoner.  I don’t even smoke pot, but from now on, I am just going to abide.

"The Dude Abides"

-goal n.     The purpose toward which an endeavor is directed.

An entire [self-help] industry has exploded to help you find, set, and achieve your goals.  The irony is that goals might be why so many people are stuck in chronic failure.   Let’s be clear:  nobody succeeds because they have the right goals.  A quarterback doesn’t throw three touchdowns because the goal or purpose is to win the game; that’s a given.  The rockstar CEO doesn’t close the $10B deal because the purpose is to make himself and his shareholders money; that’s understood.  Those are the rules; those goals are written into the structure of the game.  When you use your time and energy to set and focus on goals, you are spending time and energy telling yourself that you need a reason to play the game.  If you need to find reasons to be in the game, then you shouldn’t play.

People succeed because they have targets and talent. The star CEOs and winning quarterbacks succeed because they have clear, distinct targets, they’ve made promises to aim as close to their targets as possible, and they have the talent to hit those targets more often and more accurately than anyone else.  Period.

So what’s wrong with goals, you ask?

1. Goals imply incompleteness, lack, and comparison.  If I only had ____, I’d be more______. -Goals make you feel bad about yourself.
2. Goals make you focus on the outcome.  This takes time and energy away from the doing: planning, practicing and playing.
3. Goals are the reason you procrastinate.  Every time you think about that goal of cleaning the toilet, you have to decide whether or not you want it bad enough to do it right now.  You have to play a little game with yourself a million times when you have a goal:  “is it worth it?” “should I do it?” “Can I do it?“  Each time it’s a question that takes time, energy, and resources to answer.

What’s the difference between a goal and a target? Goals are personal and full of emotion.  Motivational speakers rely on the goal-setting to get you off your ass and put you into action, but then they ride off into guru-land to cash your check.  When roadblocks appear on the path to the goal (this thing that will make you better, more complete), you take it personally and question yourself.   Do I have the skills?  Will it pay off?  Should I even do this?

In contrast, a target is impersonal.  My target is where I am going or at the very least where I am aiming.  If a roadblock appears, I don’t question whether the target is worthwhile, I just alter course or make the necessary adjustment.  With a target, I simply do the best possible job that I can with the talent that I have and let the rest be.  By the way this is ACTUALLY HOW LIFE WORKS!

So this year, I’ve given up on goals, but my targets are clear. Whether I hit my targets or not, it won’t make an ounce of difference to who I am, or how I feel about myself.  What I will do, is use every ounce of energy, every bit of time I can spare from my life of leisure, and every bit of talent I might have to reach those targets.  But first I have to go clean the toilet.