Blend Qualitative Goals with Quantitative Goals
Every goal you set doesn’t need to have a number associated with it.
Hear me out.
I love a good numbers-based goal. I studied PR in undergrad and got a Master of Science in Communication from an R1 research institution. Emphasis on the research. I took quantitative-based classes, and some of that thinking bleeds over into my data-driven mindset as a marketer. There’s a big *however comma* coming. Do you feel it?
However, (warned you) if you have too many numbers-based goals, it becomes increasingly easy for what you want to do to suffocate who you want to be. Make goals, but don’t let them control you.
When you set goals, try to balance the numbers-based goals with some objectives about who you want to be. This comes in handy in a few ways, including:
Whenever you have two goals in conflict, you can still choose the goal that outlines who you want to be and know you met a goal. You didn’t fail or compromise.
Here’s how this might play out practically…
Say you’ve set a series of goals wrapped up in numbers for the year:
Read 50 books.
Raise tennis ranking from a 3.5 to a 4.0.
Take two classes toward advanced degree and receive an A- or higher.
You get the point…
You also have a personal objective to be a present friend and family member and show others you love them through quality time.
In a situation when a loved one needs care and support, you can stick to the objective of being a present friend and family member, even if you miss some of your numbers-based goals. You may earn a B instead of an A in class and read 30 instead of 50 books, but you still met a goal. You were a present friend and family member.
Set personal objectives at the same time you set quantitative goals. If you miss a numbers-based goal for the sake of achieving the character objective, you didn’t fail. Write out some examples of how you met that qualitative objective to process and solidify to yourself that you did achieve a goal.
You’re not defeated or conceited at the end of the year. Setting both qualitative and quantitative goals leaves less room for perfection or pessimism and more room for perspective.
Numbers by themselves can yield unhealthy thought processes (or limited thought, but let’s unpack that in a bit).
Say you miss the mark on a few of your quantitative goals. How do you feel? We say words like defeated, failed, lost focus, not good enough, will never ____. Now, setting some objectives without quotas isn’t to give you a pass and make you feel like you won no matter what. But, it should provide a space for you to explain progress even if the box isn’t checked on all your numbers-based goals.
Say you’re consistently conquering your quantitative goals. Achieve goals at all costs! I’ve been there. Unfortunately, if you’re not also keeping in mind who you want to be, not just what you want to do, it’s easy for this to go to your head. Take pride in your accomplishments, celebrate them! But keep perspective.
These reactions may not be true for everyone, sure. But, setting qualitative goals alongside the quantitative goals keeps the tendency for defeated or conceited reactions in check.
Setting qualitative objectives in addition to your quantitative goals begs for more reflection when it comes time to explain how or if you met the goal.
You have to reflect and do some perspective taking in the evaluation phase. If you set purely quantitative goals, it’s easy to scratch them off and then sit in your feelings.
Truly, you should reflect on both types of goals, but having the qualitative goals there reminds you to process. When it’s time to evaluate, journal your results or go to coffee with a trusted friend and talk about the outcomes.
For those quantitative goals, still ask yourself reflective questions. How did you meet the goal? Why did you miss it? What should you replicate? What should you change?
Next time you write out goals, form a list of both quantitative goals and more qualitative objectives. The blended list will serve you well!