Everybody set goals.
But research shows 92% of people never got to achieve them.
Why?
Well, because people focus on the outcomes rather than the actions to get there. It’s one of the main reasons most goals fail.
So it’s good to separate the input from the outcome and have two types of goals: input and output goals.
Now, let’s see the difference and how to use them.
Output Goals
Getting a six-pack, learning a new language, or becoming a millionaire.
Outcomes are attractive.
You can set one of these as a goal, and be happy that you’ve finally decided on your target.
If you are serious, this will set your direction. Now you know where you’d like to end up.
But there is one problem. If your desired outcome was cooking a nice meal (output goal = dinner), you wouldn’t need much planning.
You take the ingredients from the fridge and cook them. Goal reached.
Learning a new language is not that simple. You need to figure out the best way to learn, dedicate your time, and practice.
And you’ll need to do it consistently over the long term.
That’s why most New Year’s resolutions fail. We focus on the shiny outcomes but forget about how to get there.
The solution to this issue is input goals.
Input Goals
Output goals are necessary, but not enough. Because you never have direct control over the outcome.
But the input is fully under your control. When you set an input goal, it’s up to you to reach it.
But to decide on your input goals, start with the outcome.
If your output goal is to get fit, what should you do on a regular basis?
Training 5 times a week, eating healthy food, and sleeping 8 hours a day. This is your input.
You’ll decide every day if you are going to achieve these goals or not. No luck involved.
So let the output goals set your direction. Use input goals to get there.
More Input Goal Examples
- Investing 20% of your income every month (output goal = becoming a millionaire)
- Reading one marketing book every week (output goal = becoming a good marketer)
- Writing 10 blog posts every month (output goal = reaching 100,000 monthly visitors)
- Walking 30 minutes every morning (output goal = becoming healthy)
And if you’d like to know more about how to set proper goals and beat procrastination, download the How to Turn Your Dreams into Reality guide by leaving your email below.