Summary

The author, Ken Li, outlines a personal strategy for achieving goals by focusing on controllable factors, enjoying the process, and leveraging accountability partners, ensuring he meets his targets for the year, particularly emphasizing the enjoyment of the journey over the outcome.

Abstract

Ken Li shares his approach to never missing his goals again, particularly after two years of not meeting his revenue targets. He now refers to his revenue goal as a "target" and breaks it down into smaller, achievable goals, or "experiments," which are entirely within his control. Li emphasizes the importance of enjoying the journey rather than fixating on the outcome, adopting an experimental mindset that allows for learning and adaptation. He also stresses the significance of having a daily accountability partner to ensure consistent progress towards goals. Li's method involves conducting six business-related and six personal-related experiments, with the aim of improving his business and family relationships. He concludes by reflecting on the success of his approach, having already met his goals for the year by March, and encourages readers to find ways to make their own goals more enjoyable and easier to achieve.

Opinions

The author believes that the traditional approach to goal setting, which often relies on external factors, is flawed and that goals should be within one's control.
Li values the intrinsic motivation and learning that come from an experimental mindset, where the outcome is less important than the process.
He suggests that an accountability partner is crucial for maintaining daily progress and building habits that make achieving goals inevitable.
The article itself is presented as an experiment, showcasing the author's commitment to practicing what he preaches and his willingness to share his journey with his audience.
Li implies that the joy of the journey can be a more fulfilling measure of success than simply reaching a goal, and that this mindset can lead to a more purposeful and enjoyable life.
He acknowledges that everyone's approach to goal setting is unique and encourages readers to adapt his strategies to fit their own circumstances and preferences.

EXPERIMENT WITH A CHEMIST — #1

How I’ll Never Miss Another Goal Again

Slaying goals, having fun — it’s possible to do both!

Making my goals this year is a lock. Photo by Maxim Zhgulev on Unsplash

For the past two years, I swung and missed on my revenue goals for my business.

💩!

This year, things will be different.

In fact,

I guarantee I won’t miss my goal this year — or ever again.

Look, I know you don’t need to make your goal. Goals have value even when you don’t reach them.

Because they steer you in the right direction. Because even if you don’t make your goal, you’ll be further along than had you not set it. Because I said so.

This logic might satisfy some people, but not me.

I like the sweet, sweet feeling of making my goals.

The same goes with making a basket. I prefer swishing than missing.

Perhaps this is semantics, but I now call my revenue goal a target 🎯.

I break down my target into smaller goals in which I’m confident I can swish every time.

Here are the three things I’m doing that give me the certainty I’ll destroy my goals in 2023.

Remove external factors

My revenue goal (now, target) had one big problem: it relied on other people.

I needed others to pay me money for my coaching services.

I like other people, especially non-boogers, but I don’t want to rely on them.

My 2023 goals are completely within my control.

Here they are:

1) Run six business-related experiments (target: revenue goal)

2) Run six personal-related experiments (target: improve my family relationships)

Turning this goal into reality depends entirely on me.

The experiments also don’t rely on anyone else to do anything for me.

For example, one of my first biz-related experiments was “What if I created guided meditations every day for a week?”

I’m the creator. Even with my follow-up goal to do a meditation for the public, I was fine if nobody showed up.

Love the journey, not the outcome

“The man who loves walking will walk further than the man who loves the destination. When you fall in love with the journey, everything else takes care of itself. Trip, fall, pick yourself up. Get up, learn, do it over again.” — Jonathan Byrd

Byrd is describing the experimental mindset, which is how I framed my goals — as a series of experiments.

This works especially well when there’s no proven path to reach your target. I don’t know how I’m going to make X amount of dollars. You may not know how you’re going to get that promotion, for instance.

But with an experimental mindset, “I don’t know” doesn’t matter. Actually, it’s a pre-requisite.

You get to try stuff out. See what works and doesn’t work.

If it works, great — you’ve learned something.

If it doesn’t work, great — you’ve learned something.

See a pattern?

You learn either way and you get to move forward toward your target. Win-win!

The only loser? Status quo.

No more flying solo

Having a partner hold you accountable every day is indispensable for achieving your goals.

Two parts to this equation: 1) a partner and 2) daily check-ins.

If you don’t have a partner, don’t set the goal.

That’s how important this is.

It’s less about your partner checking in on you (who likes to nag?) and more about you feeling obligated to someone else. Use guilt for good.

I realize this might fly in the face of my earlier advice that you shouldn’t rely on others. Hmm. This is the only exception. Unless I find others 😉.

Attending to your goal and reporting on it daily allows it to become a habit. Habits make your goal inevitable.

I recorded a guided meditation and sent the recordings to my accountability partner every day. Even if it wasn’t my best effort, I sent something in.

Take home message

By applying these three tips, I’m certain I’ll meet my goals this year. It’s a lock. And maybe a stock and barrel to boot.

How do I know that?

Because I’ve already met my goals for the year (I’ve conducted 14 experiments) and we’re still in March.

Have I met my revenue target? Not yet, but I’ve enjoyed the ride a lot more. I’ll adjust my goal to conduct more experiments.

These were things that worked for me.

I also realize everyone is different. I’m observant like that.

Here’s one question you can ask yourself to help you slay your goal(s) with fun and ease:

What will make this goal easier and more fun for you?*

Let me know your ideas I can steal them for myself 😁.

Footnote

This article itself is an experiment. I’ve been toying around with writing a newsletter, but am worried I have nothing to say. I’ve decided to practice writing the newsletter here on Medium before finding the proper platform. I call the newsletter “Experiment with a Chemist,” which were the words emblazoned on a free t-shirt my mom gave me in fifth grade. This was the first edition. Thanks for being part of my experiment!

Credit goes to life coach Jody Moore for this lovely question. Listen to this podcast episode to learn more.

Need help with your career or life?

I’m a life coach who helps professionals stuck in their careers (& life) find direction and create more purposeful lives that bring them more WHEEEE!

Click on my LinkedIn profile to learn more about my work or let’s chat!

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