Walk Before You Run - The Agile Approach to Achieving Your Goals
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In a world obsessed with the pursuit of excellence, there is often a ‘fast-path’ to be the best in everything we do. But, what if there's another way, a path less trodden, that can lead to lasting success? In the world of business, a methodology known as agile or iterative product development has shown that progress can be achieved through incremental steps rather than focusing on the potentially unattainable.
Reduce Overwhelm: Pursuing lofty goals from the outset can often lead to overwhelming stress and anxiety. It's like trying to run a marathon without proper training – you're setting yourself up for potential burnout. Setting smaller goals initially allows you to take more manageable and achievable steps and gradually build your skills and confidence. This reduces the emotional burden and enables you to stay motivated over the long term.
Set Realistic Timelines: Achieving goals can often take time, and setting exceptionally high goals can result in unrealistic timelines. Setting short-term goals lets you get comfortable with a more realistic schedule and avoid disappointment when goals are not met. You gain the patience to persevere, and you acquire the wisdom to wait for the right opportunities.
Build a Strong Foundation: Success is often built on a solid foundation of small achievements. Starting with more attainable goals gives you the chance to develop a strong base of knowledge and skills. This foundation will serve as a springboard for tackling more significant challenges in the future. By setting these initial smaller goals you get to hone your craft, learn from your mistakes, and gain the confidence to tackle bigger objectives that lay ahead.
Learn from Setbacks: Setbacks, or failure is an integral part of any journey towards success. With more manageable goals, you have room for failure without experiencing demotivating setbacks. You get comfortable with the idea of experimentation, and making mistakes, while learning from them with limiting your risks. Through these experiences, you acquire valuable insights and develop resilience, which are essential for future success.
Maintain Consistency: The pursuit of excellence can be all-consuming. Many people give up on their goals because they simply cannot sustain the level of effort required to be the best from the start. Taking an iterative approach to pursuing your goals allows you to maintain consistency and stay committed over the long term. Consistency is often more important than momentary success.
Avoid Analysis Paralysis: The pursuit of perfection can sometimes lead to overthinking and indecision. When you set the bar high at the beginning, you spend excessive time planning and analyzing every aspect of your journey, making sure that you have not missed anything in the preparation. With smaller goals, achievable in less time, you can more easily act and start to build momentum.
Enjoy the Journey: When you constantly aim for the top, you may find yourself fixated on the end goal rather than appreciating the journey. You miss the opportunity to savour the small victories and enjoy the learning experience. Take time to rest and recharge and equally important, reflect on what you have accomplished so far. This not only makes the path more enjoyable but also helps in preventing burnout and increasing long-term satisfaction.
Adopting the agile-inspired approach to achieving your personal goals is not about lowering your ambitions. Instead, it's a strategic choice that acknowledges the importance of sustainable progress, resilience, and adaptability in personal and professional growth. By starting with more attainable objectives, you can build a strong foundation, learn from your failures, and develop the confidence to tackle bigger challenges down the road. Remember, success is a journey, not a destination. Once you ascend the first mountain, another will emerge.//