Goals are Overrated – Good Habits are Underrated
Mark Mason wrote a blog in 2016 on goals versus habits called “Your Goals are Overrated.” It got me thinking as I read it on how habits, good or bad, affect my success in life (if you read, some of the language may “surprise” you).A few of Mark’s insights:
“Goals are a one-time bargain. Habits have no single end point.”
“With goals, every day you go back to the gym feels harder. With habits, after a while, it feels harder not to go to the gym than it does to go.”
“Some habits are better than others (keystone habits), because once acquired, make other positive habits easier to acquire as well."
The lessons I have learned in life is building good habits leads to more good habits and getting hooked on bad habits leads to failure and misery. Mark clearly observes that good keystone habits compound goodness and success in your life.Take for example, B2B sales person’s yearly sales target – the goal of success. The keystone habits that lead to achieving or exceeding sales targets are daily prospecting, daily sales visits/calls. These keystones allow for proposals to be composed, presentations to be made, negotiations to happen and sales to be closed.I have exercised regularly since 1978 - Running cross country and now road biking. Normally I will ride about 400- 450km per month. My cycling habit is my keystone activity that leads to other activities and goals that keep me healthy. Cycling is my stress reducer, my time of contemplation/meditation, my weight controller, and my focus for holidays. But the real compound effect is my excellent health at age 67 – BP of 110/68, no heart, lung, blood, digestive, diabetic, liver or kidney issues – a clean bill of health. My cycling and exercise have compounded my ability to live my career and calling to the fullest.Mark lists out a few keystone habit areas as does Warren Buffet in an article by Tom Popomaronis of INC Magazine on “What Sets a Winner Apart” on the habits of integrity. Let’s list out both. As you review each list, determine for your life habits yes, no, sometimes or not yet!Mark Mason’s Keystone Habits1. Exercise2. Cooking3. Meditation4. Reading5. Writing6. SocializingWarren Buffet’s Habits of Integrity1. Fulfill Your Promises2. Be honest3. Be trustworthy4. Give credit where credit is due5. Be mindful and intuitive6. Manifest humility7. Admit when you are wrong8. Offer help when needed9. Treat others with respect10. Be charitable11. Be patientGood habits lead to success. Keystone habits compound success. Review your 2019 goals and reflect what keystone habits do you need to establish and regularly do to achieve those goals. Doing so can be a life changer for you.Have a week of practicing you keystone habits!Michael J GriffinELAvate FounderJohn Maxwell Team FounderAchieveForum Master Trainer