For the past year or so, I’ve been following The One Thing, a program that includes a book, regular podcasts, downloadable materials and more, centered on the theme of achieving “extraordinary results.” One concept in particular that really hit home was recognizing the purpose of a goal. You see, for most of my life, I thought the purpose of a goal was to achieve the result. What I learned is that the purpose of a goal is actually this: to be appropriate in the moment.
Let me explain with this example:
I set a goal to lose 5 pounds in 3 months.
I used to think that the goal would be met after 3 months if I’ve lost 5 pounds.
I flipped my thinking.
I have approached my goal, not as the ultimate result I wanted to achieve (lose 5 pounds in 3 months), but as the immediate action you need to be appropriate in the moment. For me, the immediate action I need to take to be appropriate in the moment has been to increase my water intake to 100 ounces a day and cut out added sugar in my diet. It’s how I must adjust my behavior by the minute to reflect where I want to be 12 weeks down the road. When a choice confronts me, I choose in the moment what will lead me to the desired end result. Perhaps that means passing on dessert or opting for a glass of water instead of a soda.
So, put this into your own context. What is the goal you have in mind? Based on where you want to be and the results you want, who is the person you need to become right now? What do you need to do right now to be appropriate in the moment?
One way my husband and I have been tracking our weekly, monthly and yearly goals is with The One Thing’s 411 (4 weeks, 1 month, 1 year = 411) free worksheet. The 411 gives us a weekly time to discuss, develop and communicate our individual and business goals. It has helped us better support each other and track our progress.
If you want to get more information on forming habits that last, check out the podcast “Resolutions vs Habits: why ONE is better than the other” podcast from The One Thing or the article I wrote summarizing it.
Writing these articles has forced me to stay connected to the new The One Thing material, review notes I wrote early on and spend time thinking about the concepts and practices in finding and pursuing “one thing.” It’s been fun to step outside our core business strength of stall bedding, design and stall management, and think more broadly about the personal and business context in which we all operate.
What have you found that inspires you to think, dream or change the way you lead your day-to-day life? I’d love it if you’d share a (new or old) book, podcast, blog or article that has caused you to stop and think. I’d be grateful for your recommendations.
And I challenge you to not only check out The One Thing’s library of free resources, but to consider choosing “one thing” of your own on which to focus your attention. Now that you know how to look at goals differently, there’s nothing to hold you back from achieving the results you desire. 
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Amy Throndsen
- Chief Operating Officer
- Advanced Comfort Technology Inc.
- Email Amy Throndsen
