Why Reaching Goals Can Bum You Out

Everybody is aaaaaaall about goal setting. But what happens when you reach a goal and...it kind of sucks? This episode of Faithful on the Clock explains why reaching an objective can be a huge letdown. It includes two techniques for ensuring you don’t fall prey to the arrival fallacy and lose your joy.Timestamps:[00:05] - Intro[00:39] - The arrival fallacy is the false belief that we’ll feel happy if we just get to the goal we set.[01:18] - A CEO I worked with experienced the arrival fallacy when he felt letdown after selling his business.[01:54] - I personally experienced the arrival fallacy when I finished the half marathon I’d trained for.[02:26] - Awareness of the arrival fallacy is important because there is currently such a strong emphasis on goal setting and OKRs. [03:07] - Unless you approach goal setting the right way, there’s a risk every time that people will feel disappointed and that morale will fade.[03:57] - The rule of thirds is one strategy for fighting the arrival fallacy.  [04:48] - The rule of thirds keeps you more present-minded and shifts the emphasis to the journey of what you’re doing. You can ask yourself how you are different and focus on growth.[05:34] - Breaking goals down into smaller pieces can be another beneficial strategy because it provides a steadier supply of dopamine that can keep you motivated.[06:43] - As a leader, celebrating and pacing yourself is critical for controlling dopamine and staying out of the dumps.[07:32] - There’s a Biblical balance to the goal setting process.[08:10] - No matter what we might plan, we have to allow God to stay in the driver’s seat. He’ll take care of us if we do.[09:19] - Prayer[10:15] - Outro/What’s coming up nextKey takeaways:The arrival fallacy is the concept that you’re ensured to feel happy after reaching a goal you set. Two real-life examples are my CEO friend who felt depressed after selling his company, and how I felt let down after running the half marathon I’d worked for.There’s enormous pressure right now for individuals and teams to set goals constantly, as seen in the emphasis on OKRs. If you don’t approach those goals properly, you can see personal or team morale and culture decline. The rule of thirds and breaking goals down into smaller points both are good strategies for keeping the arrival fallacy at bay. Pacing yourself, seeing your journey, and celebrating as you go are important.From a Biblical perspective, aim for balance with your goal setting. Go ahead and set objectives, but understand that God is at the helm and respect the will He has for you. Trust Him to provide and don’t worry.Relevant Links:https://twitter.com/FaithfulOTChttps://www.instagram.com/faithfulontheclock/https://www.pinterest.com/FaithfulOnTheClock/_created/https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12553140/https://www.facebook.com/FaithfulOnTheClock CTAs:Break your goals up into smaller increments and celebrate accomplishments as you go.Be OK with seeing the journey of what you’re doing. Apply the rule of thirds to keep yourself out of black and white thinking.Ask God what goals to work for that will serve Him best.What’s coming up next:Today’s leaders are expected to be Jacks and Jills of all trades--they have to be managers, authors, speakers, and a million other things. Episode 19 of Faithful on the Clock dispels the myth that taking on lots of roles is the best course and guides you on how to stay in your lane for the long haul.