For a Richer Year, Add a BHAG
Mary's Dilemma
Mary has completed her SMART goals for the new year. Each goal has these characteristics:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Realistic
- Time-Bound
Mary is confident she will achieve her SMART goals. But that's not the end of the story. Mary has a feeling of fear in the pit of her stomach. She feels like she's leaving something important out of her goal-setting.
Mary has one more business goal, one that she didn't commit to writing: publish a book and sell 5,000 copies before the end of the new year. This "other" goal has a much higher risk of failure, so Mary left it out.
BHAG Defined
Mary's "other" goal is known as a BHAG, a Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal. A BHAG can be good for your soul. Writing it down is an act of courage. Working on it during the year requires strength and ingenuity. Accomplishing a BHAG will make you so happy that you'll do back-flips down the hallway.
How to Create Your BHAG
- First, complete your annual SMART goals. Consider them your "normal" goals. You're sure you'll achieve them if you stick to your plan.
- Think beyond your "normal" goals. Imagine a goal that is almost beyond your reach. You know you can achieve that goal, but only with large doses of prayer, heavy lifting and "luck." When you achieve that lofty goal, you can see yourself shouting and doing back-flips down the hall. That is your BHAG.
- Write down your BHAG. Define it with these characteristics:
- Deliverable
- Due date
- Accountable person
It's best to write only one or two business BHAGs and one or two personal BHAGs. That way, you'll have time to complete your "normal" goals.
Start Today
The sooner you write your BHAG, the more you'll achieve this year. I wish you uncommon success.
