Meaningful Action Beats Big Goals

In the bigger scheme of things, actions should flow out of goals, goals need to flow out of priorities and priorities flowing out of a clear and compelling life purpose. The action  phase is where life happens. In Today’s guest post, prolific blogger Dan Rockwell ties all of these components together for us.

Guest Post by Dan Rockwell

Survival is success during crisis. It fails in the long-term.

Define meaningful action to thrive. Typically, we define purpose, choose goals, and set priorities. But there’s a better order. Priorities before goals.

1. Define purpose
2. Set priorities
3. Choose goals

Meaningful Action for Individuals

Meaning takes center stage when priorities drive goals.

1. Purpose infuses meaning into actions. It provides direction.
2. Priorities determine focus. They define distraction.
3. Goals define targets, milestones, and actions.

Goals without meaning are beasts.

Example

The purpose of life, from a Christian point of view, is to love God and people. If you don’t believe in God, love people. In practice, your purpose is to maximize contribution. There are two questions:

1. How can you best contribute? (Consider values, abilities, and opportunities.)
2. How can you expand your ability to meaningfully contribute?

I expand my ability to contribute by learning. It might be a coaching seminar, studying a topic, or seeking advice. I ask, how can I bring value to the people I’m coaching?

This morning, I asked my wife, “What would you love me to do for you today?” She told me, “Empty the dirt and rocks from my cart.” (I’m her garden boy.)

Summary: Meaningful action expresses purpose and aligns with priorities.

Meaningful Action for Teams

#1 Define Shared Purpose

Ask, “Why do we exist beyond making money or hitting metrics?”

Repeat it often. Embed purpose in meetings, decisions, and celebrations.

#2 Define and Communicate Priorities

Distinguish between what’s important and what’s urgent. Use “Big Rocks” principles.*

#3. Set Goals

Ask, “If we only did three things this quarter, what would they be?”

#4 Audit for Alignment

Ask, “How do our goals reflect our purpose and priorities?”

Eliminate goals that dilute focus.

#5 Honor aligned effort

What is your priority today?

Challenge: Ask each team member what their priority is today.

*Put One Big Rock on Your Calendar

*Put in the Big Rocks: How to Do Things that Matter Most Before it’s too Late

Setting Life Priorities HBR