Layer Your Goals, Not Your Pressure
My kids went back to school last week and I swear, I got more done in 2 days than I had in a whole week over the summer! I've loved feeling like I have my mind and time back. Which means, my motivation is high… and I've started dreaming big again.
Before long, my dreams start to look like goals:
I'm not only going to get the house clean, I'm going to tackle that corner of the basement that's full of items I've been ignoring for years…
I'm going to write my book!
I'm going to train for a marathon
I'm going to bake all the things for fall!
You get the idea.
If I let this rush of excitement take over, I can easily get myself in trouble. And yet, I can't resist the pull of possibility. I don't want to lose that potential AND I want to stay realistic.
So how do I use this moment of motivation to actually set goals for the new season? This is one of those moments when I get to check on my pace BEFORE the stress does it for me. So, how do I pace this excitement into goals instead of pushing it into overwhelm? Because if I pace it well, I get to dream big without loading up massive pressure for when the holidays roll in. Just speaking from experience here 😉
To do this, I'm taking a page from Kelsey Pfendler's book. Earlier this year, she set out to be the first American woman to row solo across the Pacific Ocean. She reached her goal and then some. Here's how: Kelsey layered her goals.
Goal one was to simply finish the crossing. She knew that alone would be a feat, so she decided if she could just finish, she'd be happy.
Then, a stretch goal: finish and beat the women's record for speed. That would be pretty cool to pull off.
Finally, a "just in case" goal, tucked in her back pocket: the number it would take to beat the men's record. She didn't expect to hit it. She just kept the dream in reserve.
Here's the kicker: she trained for all three.
She didn't let the biggest goal be the only goal. She'd be happy with any of the three. Her primary goal stayed attainable. And "just in case," she prepared herself for the possibility that she was capable of more.
The result? Kelsey is officially the fastest person to ever complete a mid-Pacific row. Ever.
She beat the men's record by 9 days.
So, here's how we can layer our own goals to build in sustainable success. Instead of going "all in" on one option, build a range of what success can look like:
Layered Goals
For each goal you make, layer what success can look like:
What's Attainable? Think of your least-viable option — the one where "at least I got this done" still counts as a win. Something you can work toward with minimal effort, and something you've genuinely got to be okay with if it's all that gets done.
What's a small Stretch? What is just beyond your attainable mark? Something that requires a little more effort, but doesn't enter "killing yourself" territory.
What would a "Just in case" version look like? This is usually the dream version of the goal. You find it after completing the phrase, "wouldn't it be cool if…" We don't plan around these happening, but we do name them, just in case.
Then, like Kelsey, train for all three options.
Don't assume that setting the goal means you'll follow through; build your own training program. Think through the behaviors you need to consistently show up for, while holding onto the fact that life can throw in unexpected obstacles. That's the power of a layered goal: it gets you moving with what you can control, and leaves room for the unexpected.
This week, choose one thing that you're hoping to accomplish this fall and build a clear layered goal around it. Start with just that one. Write it down.
Sometimes the stars align and the opportunity to do something big presents itself. When it does, the question is whether you've built the stamina to meet it. And that stamina gets built one layered goal at a time.
Thanks for reading with me today. If you want to learn more about Kelsey, you can check her out on Facebook.
If you’d like to learn more ways to succeed—in your own life or across your organization—here are three ways I can help:
🎤 Keynotes — Inspire your people to rethink what high performance can look like.
🛠️ Workshops — Build practical skills for expanding your performance range.
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I’m here when you’re ready. Also, if you know someone else who can benefit from Even-Achieving, I’d love a warm intro. Let’s help you and yours find more ways to achieve sustainable high-performance.
With "all" my best,
Erika
