In Excelerated Goal Setting™, we aspire to BIG (Bold-Important-Gratifying) goals. The definition of your BIG goal is unique to you and your current abilities and circumstances. There is flexibility in how each of us defines and chooses those goals that are Bold, Important, and Gratifying to us.
Title Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
The Definition of Success
“Success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal.” ~ Earl Nightingale
I have written in the past that “success for you is however you define it”. But I now defer to Earl Nightingale’s wisdom and I hope we agree that he has the better definition of success: the progressive realization of a worthy goal. Success is not achieved when you reach the goal. In fact, as Nightingale goes on to say, we are no longer successful by this definition until we’ve set a new goal. If you have a goal that you are planning and moving toward, and if by pursuing your goal you are making a contribution and giving back more than you take, then you have an Excelerated goal and you are a success as long as you are making progress toward your goal!
In Excelerated Goal Setting™, we also aspire to BIG (Bold-Important-Gratifying) goals. And while we now have a standard definition of success, there is flexibility in how each of us defines and chooses those goals that are Bold to us, Important to us, and Gratifying to us. So we can still say BIG for you is however you define it.
So how do you define BIG?
Bold Goals – Pushing Your Boundaries
A Bold goal is one that stretches you, takes you out of your comfort zone, and challenges your current way of thinking and doing. What feels bold for one person may feel overwhelming for another or, conversely, too easy for someone else. A key to setting a Bold goal is understanding where you are in your journey and what would truly push you beyond your current limits. You want to stretch your comfort zone a little each day. Choose goals that stretch you a bit but that are reachable. As you grow, your goals can get Bolder over time.
How to define a Bold Goal:
Think about what makes you a little bit excited or nervous – the kind of goal that feels challenging but also achievable with the right amount of effort. (Remember, fear and excitement show up the same way in our physical reactions; it’s all in how you label it!)
Consider what would make you grow. A Bold goal requires learning and development, whether in your skills, mindset, or approach to life.
Bold goals are personal. Don’t compare yours to others. What feels bold to you? That’s what matters.
- What would it look like to step outside your comfort zone? How could doing that change your life?
- What is one goal that feels just beyond your reach but is something you believe is possible if you truly commit?
Important Goals – Aligning with Your Core Values
An Important goal has deep personal meaning for you. We sometimes refer to it as an “intrinsic” goal. It’s not something you’re doing because someone else expects it or because you think it’s what you should do. It directly aligns with your values, your purpose, and what you find most fulfilling in life.
How to define an Important Goal:
Reflect on what truly matters to you. Think about your core values and life priorities. (This tool might be helpful as you consider your values.) What are the things you would be proud of achieving or the legacy you want to leave behind?
Consider the areas of your life that feel the most significant to your long-term happiness or success. Your Important goal should speak to those areas.
Make sure your goal has intrinsic motivation. You should feel driven to pursue it because it holds meaning for you, not because of external pressures or validation.
- What is one area of your life where you feel most compelled to create lasting change, and why does that matter to you?
- Is the goal you’re working toward aligned with your deepest values, or are you doing it for external validation?
Gratifying Goals – The Joy of Achievement
A Gratifying goal is one that brings you satisfaction and joy along the journey, not just upon achieving it. (“Success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal,” remember?) While achieving the goal is the ultimate reward, the process of working toward it should also be enjoyable and fulfilling. The goal should energize you and give you a sense of purpose every step of the way.
How to Define a Gratifying Goal:
What brings you joy in your daily life or what excites you about the future? A Gratifying goal is one where you look forward to the effort and enjoy the journey.
Consider what makes you feel accomplished. The process of working toward your goal should give you regular feelings of progress and fulfillment.
Don’t choose a goal that feels like a grind every day. While hard work is part of any Bold and Important goal, a Gratifying goal ensures you stay motivated through positive reinforcement along the way.
- What goal would not only fulfill your desires for the future but also make the process of working toward it rewarding in itself?
- What specific elements of the goal will give you joy and a sense of progress as you work on it day by day?
Defining Your BIG Goal
Now that you understand the three components of a BIG goal – Bold, Important, and Gratifying – it’s time to put it all together. Take some time to reflect on what would feel like a Bold step for you, what truly Important goals align with your values, and what you’ll find deeply Gratifying in the process.
Ask and answer these questions:
- What does each of these elements, Bold, Important, and Gratifying mean for me at this stage of life?
- How can I balance the challenge, the meaning, and the joy of working toward my goal?
While success has a specific definition = “the progressive realization of a worthy goal”, the definition of your BIG goal is unique to you and your current abilities and circumstances. So decide on your BIG goal. If you don’t have a BIG goal yet, the Goal Achievement Excelerator workbook can help you define yours. Then, write down your BIG goal and commit to taking your first step today! It’s an important step in embracing your Excelerated Life™!
What does BIG mean for you?
How can you make your goal a BIG goal for you?
Share your ideas by leaving a post below.
Excelerated Goal Setting™ — planning and achieving BIG (Bold, Important, Gratifying) goals — is one practice for creating your Excelerated Life™, a life of flourishing and well-being, and a life of meaning, purpose, and service.
Read more about the Excelerated Life™.
Resources:
Nightingale, Earl. “Lead The Field.” PDFDrive. Asaha Inc., . Web. Date July 17, 2020. PDF file.
https://www.pdfdrive.com/lead-the-field-e186040772.html
This blog post includes research information and suggestions provided by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. To learn more about ChatGPT and its capabilities, you can visit the OpenAI website.