Goal setting versus habit formation

You need to identify if you’re setting a goal, or forming a habit. Here’s why.

Often, we’re so caught up in trying to meet our goals or setting up new habits, we don’t pause to think about the point of what we’re doing.

And that’s a problem.

There’s unique differentiators between goals and habits.

Knowing what you’re trying to build makes all the difference.

Let’s get clear on the difference:

A goal should have a clear end in mind, whereas a habit is about making an identity shift.

Do you see the difference?

When we set goals, we’re putting a clear plan in place.

There are metrics to what success looks like. There is a clear indicator that you’ve completed it. It may include a sprint to the finish. Sometimes a goal is outrageous, and the expectation is to rush hard at it, and then back off. If you’re trying to make it to a feature launch, plan a massive offsite or conference, perform research, run a marathon… all these things might mean forsaking some creature comforts in the short term for long term gains.

When we build a habit, slow and steady wins the race.

Habit building is around creating your new normal. Building new habits takes a long time (longer than you think), and you’re going to have to pace yourself. Wanting to become a leader who delivers more consistent and better feedback doesn’t mean only delivering feedback around performance reviews. (Seriously, don’t do that.) It means you have to make a consistent effort at working against the comfortable norms of avoiding conflict and tricky conversations. Sometimes you’ll falter, and you’ll have to get back up and try again.

A habit and goal can support each other.

There’s a bit of square versus rectangle here going on, but it’s true. If your goal is to run a marathon you’ll have to create a really clear plan, but, adopting the habit and identity shift of becoming a better runner will support that goal. And in addition, meeting the goal of running a marathon will reinvigorate the identity shift you made of becoming a runner. Of course you’re a runner, you ran a damn marathon.

Recognize if you’re trying to hustle towards a goal, or shifting to a new habit.

Let that guide how you show up on meeting them.

Struggling to set your performance goals, personal habits, and making space for you to craft the life you want to lead? (You know what to do.)