Slow and steady to the top

Photo: L. Solonynko

Much is written about the benefits of goal setting and articulating our dreams. It seems, however, that goals may be even more important than we thought. In 2008, psychologists Baruch Eitam, Ran Hassin and Yaacov Schul at Hebrew University studied the benefit of “non-conscious goal pursuit”–moving toward a desired goal without being aware of doing so–in new environments.

They noted that until their research, it was believed that non-conscious goal pursuit only reproduced formerly learned actions, and was thus ineffective in mastering a new skill. Eitam and colleagues argue the opposite: that non-conscious goal pursuit can help people achieve their goals, even in a new environment, in which they have no prior experience.

Goal setting leads to “learning on auto pilot”
After their two recent studies, these researchers say, “Taken together, both studies suggest that the powerful, unintentional, mechanism of implicit learning is related to our non-conscious wanting and works towards attaining our non-conscious goals.” Implicit learning, according to Dr. Darlene Howard at Georgetown University, is the kind of learning that “has been called by various names including ‘learning by osmosis’, ‘thinking without thinking’, and ‘the adaptive unconscious’.”

Based on Eitam, Hassin and Schul’s work, once we have identified our goals, we can work toward achieving them even when we’re not consciously thinking about them. Moreover, we unconsciously work toward them even in new situations where we may be preoccupied with unfamiliar activities. This sounds almost too good to be true. But, personally, I’m going to try being a bit more focussed in defining my goals. What do I have to lose? Let me know about ways you use goal setting to increase your change-ability.

Eitam et al’s research results were published in the March 2008 issue of Psychological Science. Read more in the press release.

Goal setting resources
Personal Goal Setting
Mind Tools: Essential Skills for an Excellent Career

For a humourous look at goal setting check Goal Setting for Skeptics by Gina Trapani at Lifehacker blog

I’m feeling optimistic about blogging–inspired by Mike Bogle’s “10-minute-post” concept, by the wonderfully reflective and timely knowledge nuggets at health information specialist Mary Doug Wright’s blog, Meldinme, and by the short and insightful posts from Seth Godin. My plan is to commit to trying the 10-minute-post idea and to offer regularly occurring stories and insights (yes, I’m sure I have regularly occurring insights). Perhaps this year’s “futurestory word” will be “completion.” Stay tuned!

On the topic of stories, insights, and commitment, I highly recommend a short animated video called The 5.75 Questions You’ve Been Avoiding from Michael Bungay Stanier at Box of Crayons in Toronto. It is, as they say, awesome! A wonderful nudge to begin a new year with more self-awareness, commitment, and gratitude.

OK … ready, set …

I love Marshall Goldsmith’s blog over at the Harvard Business School Discussion Leader site. I read his Sept. 8/08 post this morning and it hit a nerve as I’m feeling especially overwhelmed and unable to keep up with commitments. This particular post is called “Become a More Effective Leader by Asking One Tough Question.”

Goldsmith discusses why some of us “drop the ball” and fail to address issues, make changes, achieve goals etc. His answer is the part that spoke to me:

“the answer has to do with a daydream. … The daydream goes like this:
I am incredibly busy right now. In fact, I feel as busy as I have ever felt in my life. Sometimes my life feels a little out of control. But I am dealing with some very unique and special challenges right now. I think the worst of this will be over in a few months. Then I am going to take a couple of weeks to get organized, spend some time with my family, start my ‘healthy life’ program, and work on personal development.”

And I thought I was the only one who felt this way! Goldsmith’s answer is challenging, though. He says “ask yourself this tough question: What am I willing to change now? Not ‘in a few months.’ Not ‘when I get caught up.’ Now.”

He recommends listing your “personal improvement” to-do items and if you can’t motivate yourself to get started on an activity within two weeks, take it off your list, “and quit tormenting yourself.”

If it means enough to make you gasp at the thought of taking an item off the list (and I am defining “personal improvement” broadly for my purposes), it will require some reallocation of time and energy in order to make some headway. What is really important will rise to the top.

Any thoughts on how to accomplish this? If I receive ten or more tips, I’ll compile a “getting things done” cheatsheet. Have a productive day!