On goals

Letting go of what I cannot control has been a recent focus for me.

I've realized that I don't care very much about the output of a goal. For me, a goal like make a million dollars or squat X hundred pounds does not motivate me. I don't know what to do with that. They aren't directly controllable.

For me, I want to continue to focus on knowing where I want to end up, so that I can build the path to get there. Building the path means creating input-based goals instead of output-based goals.

I can control the inputs, like make 20 cold calls every afternoon which will lead to more conversation and mroe customers and more revenue. Or, follow a workout plan and lift progressively heavy weights three times a week.

Everybody wants to be a bodybuilder, but don't nobody wants to lift no heavy ass weights -- Ronnie Coleman

More and more, though, I have been trying to build systems for these input-based metrics. I just won't think "hey, it's time to go to the gym" because my brain does not work that way. Instead, I need "if this, then that" type of systems: "after I drop the kid at school, I go to the gym." 

This system works great... when school is in session. Over holiday break, though? The gym hours are irregular and it's dark and I don't have to get out to take a kid to school. Finding systems that are resilient to interruption require a bit of extra planning but I am finding they are worth it. Getting into the rhythym makes it so much easier. That mental pathway of "if this, then that" getting established takes a while but is more likely to carry through when disruptions happen.