We have to self-motivate because we don't report to anyone else. If we don't make it happen every single day, it won't happen at all. Generally, we like it that way.
Goals are our masters. It's great to be a hard worker, but you have to know what your working for to be successful. We don't report to people, but we do report to our goals.
Self motivation is the gas in the car, goals are the road map to the destination. We need to see where we're going, so we don't simply spin our wheels; expending energy without making progress.
Open-ended goals. Goal-setting and self-motivation are both indispensable tools for success, but there is an often overlooked trap set for us on the path to success: Open-ended goals.
When we get caught up in doing the work, we often set aside a strict goal-setting framework in exchange for open-ended goals. An open-ended goal is "We need to make more sales." or "We to get more tasks done." or "We need to improve our farm park."
The nebulous nature of these open-ended goals drives us to do "just one more task before I can leave for the day" or "You may have had a big Saturday sales day, but today sure is slow." or "Sure we sold a bunch today, but back in 1997 we had a bigger day." or "It's nice that you got a lot done today, but it's not nearly enough."
Enough is enough. As you set you goals for the season, for the year, or for the week, it is important to set a point at which enough is enough. You need to have realistic expectations for you and your crew.
Ex. The corn planter, using "perfect math", is 30ft wide, drives 4.5 miles per hour, can therefore cover 18 acres per hour or 216 acres per 12 hour day. So, naturally, you set your crew's goal of planting 1,000 acres in 5 days. (Shoot, you even gave them an extra half day to play with!)
Right. (You should probably berate yourself and the employees if that doesn't happen, too.) Crazy? Yes! Ridiculous expectations? You bet! And I can tell you, we do this to ourselves all the time!
Setting "enough". We're ambitious people by nature or we wouldn't be in business for ourselves. Yes, we want more, more more, but as you set you goals, you have to set "enough" as part of the process.
There is a huge push in business media around the concept of "work-life balance", or managing to live a little between your hours at work. Many lament over the "Blackberry/Crackberry Syndrome" of people staying attached to work 24/7. These are people who have not set "enough" as they set their goals.
Set all your goals. Still, easier 'blogged' than done. I am a goal setter, chronic over-estimator of what can be done in a day, and I really struggle with "I can get one more thing done before I leave."
The only cure I've found is to set ALL of your goals. By that, I mean set non-work goals as you set work goals.
Examples:
- I set a goal to workout everyday and it ended up that that meant getting up at 5:30AM to do it (though get very few interruptions at that time.)
- I set a goal to be with my family for as many meals as possible. That means that even if I leave work for lunch (almost) everyday at 12(-ish), I'm still achieving a goal!
- I set a goal to treat my employees fairly and with appropriate expectations. This means being realistic about tasks, abilities, time-tables, and coaching through mistakes.
The world preaches loudly "more, more, more" and quite frankly, I want it! As humans, we are assured that our desire for more will never go away. I don't think it should, but it cannot be the ruling force in your life.
This week, say "Enough is enough." Set good, solid goals, then set "Enough" purposely for those goals for the morning, day, week, month, and season.
Enjoy "Enough". Look around and be happy, be content even if it's just for a few minutes at the end of the day. If you did your best, got stuff done, then trust me; it's enough.
Have a great week. - Hugh
PS If you missed the "Goal without a plan is a wish" live event, we recorded it for you to view anytime!
Reach us at: www.mazecatalog.com
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