Why I Don’t Set Big, Scary,
And Audaciously Hairy Goals 

Big, scary, and audaciously hairy goals?!

Just writing that makes my heart palpitate. And if just writing the title causes my heart rate to increase, imagine what my mind and soul will feel if I force them to accomplish actually scary or hairy goals.

Fear has never been a very good motivator for me.

In fact, when I'm feeling afraid of something that is big and scary, I find myself stuck rather than moving forward.

I think the only time that fear would get me moving is if a big, scary, hairy bear was chasing me. But in life and business, I don't want a big scary goal chasing me like a bear.

Sure, it might move me forward. And it might move me fast. But most likely I won't learn the lessons available in the process, nor will I enjoy reaching the destination. Scaring myself into meeting scary and hairy goals will leave me exhausted, out of breath, and with no energy left for any other goals.

And so, instead of setting scary and hairy goals, I'd rather set creative, inspiring, motivating, and realistic goals. Goals that are practical. Ones I know I can achieve fairly easily. Goals that I know have a gentle yoga stretch to them rather than a yank or a pull.

Because I don't believe in taking the risk of pulling a muscle. That just means time wasted on recovery.

So then, here are a few coaching questions I use to help myself set practical and inspiring goals:

1. What skill do I want to improve?
2. What skill do I want to learn?
3. What do I want to do or experience more of this year?
4. What do I want to do or experience less of this year?
5. What do I want to add this year?
6. What will I need to do to add this?
7. What will it cost to add this?

Now, before you run off and start setting your creatively practical and inspiring goals, I want to offer you a few coaching insights.

I find many women business owners set goals around generating income. They may set a goal like increase my income by 62% or they might set a goal of generating 60k.

When I have clients who set goals like these, I often work with them to recognize that their income is the outcome of a different goal. Let me say that again: your income is the outcome of a goal.

Here’s what I mean: ultimately, we do not have control over how many clients purchase our services. Nor do we have control over when potential clients will purchase. But, what we do have control over is our behaviors.

Actions like networking, being active on social media, presenting webinars, writing blogs, sending email marketing campaigns, and connecting with referral partners.

So, as you set your yearly goals, take time to look closely at them. Make sure your goals are not too big and scary and audaciously hairy. Make sure you're setting a true goal, something you have control over, and not trying to set an outcome.

If you have set a projected outcome, go back and look at the skills, behaviors and actions you'll need to learn, change, or take. This will help you flesh out the goals that will then aid you in reaching the projected outcome you want to reach.

And most of all, remember -- you got this!!!