Your MOD Goal Setting Page

Most people want to improve their life and help their loved ones. But they are often discouraged or not sure what else they can do. If this sounds familiar, focusing on a MOD goal, or two, might be the key you need.

A fifty-year study of upward socioeconomic mobility in America concluded the most important factor was long time perspective (Brian Tracy, Goals!). Goals often fail because of a misunderstanding about goals, goal setting, and underestimating goal considerations.

This page includes…

What is a Goal?
- What is a MOD Goal?
- What is an Anewtrek Goal Plan?
Goal Setting
- Big Goals
- Small Goals
- MOD Goals
Best Books on Goals
Important Considerations for MOD Goal Setting (with book references)
- Identity
- Mindset
- Emotional Intelligence
- Decision-Making
- Health
- Meaning
- Relationships
- Commitments
Clarity Collaborators
- Coaches
- Consultants
- Counselors

What is a Goal?

A goal is a measurable and dated achievement. Without a way to measure it, or a finish date, it’s a desire. Putting tasks on a to do list or on your calendar, also does not make the desire a goal. You could achieve the desire to improve your fitness by just exercising more often, eating better, and sleeping better. But this is not a goal, because it is not measurable.

If you are new to goal setting, the one goal I would recommend starting with would be exercise. Studies show that improving our physical fitness can also have a positive effect on our brain and our mood.

The most popular type of goal setting format is the SMART goal. I have seen slightly different definitions of a SMART goal. It is usually something like Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time bound.

The more I pursue goals, the more I prefer the idea of MOD Goals. I know, it doesn’t sound as cool, but it’s more practical.

What is a MOD Goal?

A MOD goal is a measurable, outlined, and dated achievement. Another way of looking at a MOD goal is that it is not huge or small it is moderately challenging. A moderate goal should be just outside of your comfort zone, but possible. It requires consistent and considerable effort.

While being outlined is not a necessity, I find it very helpful to stay on track for long-term goals. It provides helpful feedback. It allows you to see whether you are on track, or if you need to step up the effort. Adding the outlined part of the goal makes it less simple but more practical.

People who have direction in their lives go farther faster (Zig Ziglar, Over the Top).

The Personal Planning Package has simple and effective two-page goal plan templates to help with your MOD Goals. It also includes more helpful knowledge including our Four Core Skills, and the Four Ways We Build Meaning in Life.

What is an Anewtrek Goal Plan?

An Anewtrek Goal Plan is a two-page lean plan that aspires to achieve a specific desire. It starts with an annual goal, and outlines it into four smaller quarterly goals. Each quarterly goal is outlined into three smaller monthly goals.

The second page is a basic monthly schedule to record important events or bills, to help you keep in mind future commitments.

Goal Setting

Goal Setting is recording a goal and the support habits to achieve it.

Goal setting is lean planning, or mid level planning. The lowest level of planning is a to do list or scheduling tasks on a calendar. The highest level of planning is a deliberate thought out and recorded plan with many details, usually 3+ pages.

Supporting habits are future based and adjustable. Not to be confused with key performance indicators (KPI). KPI are based on past performance and are not adjustable.

Studies show people achieve more with a long-term perspective and thinking about their next steps. This increases clarity and focus.

MOD Goal Examples

Some example physical fitness goals could be, to do __ push-ups in __ months. Or, run a five kilometer race (5K) in __ minutes in __ months. The outline each week with their own goals.

Consider the common desire to “lose weight” which is not a goal. It is simply a desire, and a very popular new year’s resolution. A weight loss goal would be more like, lose __ pounds in __ months. Then outline each week with their own goals. If you want some basic fitness standards, each of the U.S. military branches has their physical fitness standards online.

Consider the fitness goal of doing __ push-ups in the next __ months. A supporting habit would be doing __ push-ups each day or every other day. The number of push-ups you did yesterday or last week is the lag measure or a Key Performance Indicator (KPI). A supporting habit is a future based changeable metric.

It’s my understanding that recovery time for intense physical exercise depends on how hard we exercise, our food, rest, stress, and metabolism.

Big Goals

Some people are more inspired by huge goals that push them way out of their comfort zone. But huge goals may intimidate some people and even discourage them. Even worse, setting huge goals could tempt people with bad behavior. In the case of making more money, huge goals could tempt people to take advantage of people.

Small Goals

Some people are more inspired by small easy goals. However, small goals could be difficult to take it seriously. Or they reach their goal in less than half the time. To me, this would be a waste of a goal because there is no real challenge. They could have just randomly started doing more push-ups and soon find they could do 50.

MOD Goals

I recommend moderately challenging goals (MOD Goals). These are out of your comfort zone and challenging, but not intimidating or tempting. A moderately challenging goal might feel like, I think I can achieve it but I’m not sure.

Most people think time is our most valuable resource. I disagree. I think truth is our most valuable resource. Only with truth, we make good use of our time. The truth about goals is there are many factors that influence them. Another truth is that we can influence all of those factors.

If you want a good goal setting book, with templates, and other helpful information get the Personal Planning Package. You might also want to get a copy for family and friends.

Modern psychologists have come to a similar conclusion: Humans crave concrete goals and thrive when pursuing them (Kelly McGonigal, PhD, The Joy of Movement).

You can get your own Personal Planning Package with four simple but effective two-page plan templates to record your goals. It also includes chapters on our Four Core Skills, the Four Ways to Build Meaning in Life, the Big List of Free Help, and the Helpful, Interesting, and Popular Lists.

Best Books on Goals

Some of the following books only contain a chapter about goals, but they are still good books. Most of them advocate for big goals, but Finish makes a compelling case for small goals. So it seems that it depends on the person. While big goals might work for many people, there is a place for small goals. I personally like what I call moderate goals, that are slightly out of my comfort zone.

Note: The links to buy these books are affiliate links. If you buy through a link I get a very small commission, at no extra cost to you.

Personal Planning Package

Building meaningful lives with simple MOD Goals.

This book is short, meant for people who don’t have a lot of time (or desire) to read a book. It includes chapters on our Four Core Skills, Four Ways to Build Meaning in Life, and Goals. It also includes some simple but effective two-page lean plans for different types of goals. The plans include one for a specific annual goal, personal growth, professional growth, and social media growth. It has chapters on Empowering Thoughts, Empowering YouTube videos, the Big List of Free Help, and the Helpful, Interesting, and Popular Lists. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “There is one good – knowledge. There is one evil – ignorance” (Socrates). Buy the Personal Planning Package.

Your Best Year Ever, by Michael Hyatt

A 5-step plan for achieving your most important goals.

This book is based on decades of practical experience, which is supported by Michael’s successful career. The book starts with the importance of belief in possibilities. It includes some ways to get some quick wins to boost your mood and feel good about some progress. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “Progress starts only when you get clear on where you are right now.” Buy Your Best Year Ever.

Goals! by Brian Tracy

How to get everything you want – faster than you ever thought possible.

This book has different chapters for many different popular goals people have, like finances, relationships, health, and work. It also does a good job at explaining why your values and beliefs need to be considered while setting and pursuing goals. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “Many people, because of their negative beliefs, most of which are erroneous, falsely consider themselves to be limited in intelligence, talent, capability, creativity, or skill of some kind.” Buy Goals!

The 4 Disciplines of Execution, by McChesney, Covey, & Huling

Achieving your wildly important goals

While this is book focuses on business, its four disciplines can be applied to individuals. It starts with a chapter about focusing on what is wildly important. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “Instead of accountability to a broad outcome you can’t influence, it’s accountability to a weekly commitment that you yourself made and that is within your power to keep.” Buy The 4 Disciplines of Execution.

Finish, by Jon Acuff

Give yourself the gift of done.

This book has many great chapters about finishing what you started. The first two being about resisting the temptation for perfection and keeping your goals small. It explains the research behind planning fallacy, or foolish optimism, and why most goals fail. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “This is the first lie that perfectionism tells you about goals: Quit if it isn’t perfect.” Buy Finish.

The One Thing, by Gary Keller with Jay Papasan

This book talks about the importance of goals, but it focuses more on actions to achieve goals. It explains how not all actions are equally important. Everyone has that one thing that is most important to achieving their goal. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “The Focusing Question is a double-duty question. It comes in two forms: big picture and small focus. One is about finding the right direction in life and the other is about finding the right action.” Buy The One Thing.

High Performance Habits, by Brendon Burchard

This book pulls together twenty years of research, and ten years of high level coaching. These are basic, but priceless, personal habits everyone can improve on. The first is to seek clarity, or what is meaningful, and number four is to increase productivity. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “High performance is not achieved by a specific kind of person, but rather by a specific set of practices, which I call high performance habits.” Buy High Performance Habits.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey

Powerful lessons in personal change.

This is the oldest book on this list, but it claims to have sold over 40 million copies. At the time it was published it was a study of 200 years of success literature. It claims the focus shifted from the character ethic to the personality ethic, and we need to get back to a character focus. It’s chapters include, Begin with the End in Mind; and Put First Things First. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “An Emotional Bank Account is a metaphor that describes the amount of trust that’s been built up in a relationship.”

Buy The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress. Working hard for something we care about is called passion (Simon Sinek).

Important Considerations for MOD Goal Setting

There is a lot more to achieving goals than understanding them. Pursuing goals is a bit more complex, as they are influenced by many factors. Our skill sets and environmental forces that influence our daily activities affect goals. Goal considerations include, identity, decision making, mindset, emotional intelligence, health, meaning, relationships, and commitments. Understand that pursuing a new goal is difficult for a while. The body and mind are not used to the change. It might take time to see the progress you expect.

There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance (Socrates). Knowledge pays the best interest (Ben Franklin). The best investment you can make is in yourself, by far (Robert Herjavec). Expect the conflict you find on your way toward your goals, and when it inevitably comes, you can recognize it as a sign you’re doing something worthwhile (Kevin Miller, What Drives You).

Identity

The law of awareness shows us that we must know our self to grow our self (John Maxwell, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth). Getting clear on our identity – and that alone – is what determines how well we will live (Brady Boyd, Sons and Daughters). Identity influences every aspect of our character, but it has special relevance to grit (Angela Duckworth, Grit). Our identity forms our most important internal beliefs that have a ripple effect on our life and ultimately create our personal standards, which affect our circumstances. Your circumstances do not define you, your identity does (Tim Tebow, Shaken). If you live like no one else now, you can live like no one else later in life (Dave Ramsey, The Total Money Makeover).

Mindset

Those with the growth mindset found success in doing their best, learning and improving. And this is exactly what we find in the champions (Carol Dweck, PhD, Mindset). Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right (Henry Ford). A positive mindset enables a person to endure suffering and disappointment as well as enhance enjoyment and satisfaction (Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search For Meaning). Our thoughts and words effect each other, and help to condition, if not create, attitudes (Norman Vincent Peale, The Power of Positive Thinking). Literally hundreds of studies show that pessimists give up more easily and get depressed more often (Martin Seligman, PhD, Learned Optimism).

I find it helpful to work on having an emotionally fit, positive, growth mindset. Basically managing my emotions, trying to be grateful for the good in my life. I believe I can always learn from my actions and other people, and do better in the future. I find the most empowering principle for this is to start more thoughts with, “How can I…?”

We are not our thoughts and emotions, we are what we do with them. With each thought and emotion we have three basic choices, embrace it, replace it, or investigate it. If you know you should replace it, the sooner the better, don’t mess with it. Investigating a thought or emotion is basically asking where it came from, what it wants, and is it good for your long-term goal.

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence is the single biggest predictor of performance in the workplace and the strongest driver of leadership and personal excellence (Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves, Emotional Intelligence 2.0). Our mind has a reticular activating (RAS) system that works in our subconscious. Our subconscious mind is constantly looking for ways to realize or justify what we deliberately focus on most.

Decision-Making

At work and in life, we often think that we want truth when we’re really seeking reassurance… When making important decisions consider widening your options, reality-test assumptions, and attain some distance (Chip Heath and Dan Heath, Decisive). Pursuing worthy MOD Goals always invites challenging decisions. I’ve found it helpful to clarify facts and assumptions, then compare options, risks and rewards. I also ask myself how I will feel about each option five years from now. Then finally, commit to an option with a plan (MOD Goal).

One of the most important decisions we can make is how we are going to wind down at the end of each day and relax and rest. Another is how we are going to start our day, or what our morning routine includes.

Focused, productive, and successful morning routines generate focused, productive, and successful days (Hal Elrod, The Miracle Morning).

Health

Health is our first wealth (Ralph Waldo Emerson). People who are physically active are happier and more satisfied with their lives (Kelly McGonigal, PhD, The Joy of Movement). The seven pillars of health include water, sleep and rest, living food, exercise, detoxification, and coping with stress (Don Colbert, MD, The Seven Pillars of Health). Breathing, sweating, and digestion/excretion are the three main ways our bodies detoxify (Richard Carmona, MD, 30 Days to a Better Brain).

National Geographic studied longevity and concluded the core principles of a long life are found in lifestyle, spirituality, and community (Dan Buettner, The Blue Zones). There are many aging pathways, or indicators. Four important ones include AMPK, autophagy, inflammation, and oxidation. The science shows that a diet low in saturated fat can help boost the positive effects of each of these four aging indicators, along with no or low added salt or added sugar (Michael Greger, MD, How Not to Age).

Simple lifestyle changes, like, eat well, move more, stress less, and love more, can reverse most chronic diseases (Dean Ornish, MD, and Anne Ornish, UnDo It!). Our food is the building blocks of our biology. It provides calories for energy and nutrients for proper function and repair. Our activity determines whether we will burn off more calories than we consume. The quantity and quality of our rest influences how our body will use nutrients to repair itself.

Meaning

People pursue power and pleasure when they lack meaning (Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning). Life only has meaning if we are reaching out and striving for a [goal] (Aristotle). One thing we know is that chasing meaning is better for your health than trying to avoid discomfort (Kelly McGonigal, PhD). What drives you is not logic, it’s emotion. Want to be driven? Understand the emotion behind your motives and harness it, so it doesn’t harness you (Kevin Miller, What Drives You). Visualizing the process of reaching your goals increases the probability of achieving them (Gary Keller and Jay Papasan, The One Thing).

Relationships

We are the average of the five people we spend the most time with (Jim Rohn). We are hardwired to connect with others, it’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives (Brene Brown, Daring Greatly). There are many ways to influence people including the cultural norm of reciprocity, and liking, which are powerful motivators (Robert Cialdini, Influence).

There are three basic types of performers in the workplace, givers, takers, and matchers. The worst and the best performers are givers. The main difference is it takes time for givers to build goodwill and trust, but when they do, if they ask for help, they often get it (Adam Grant, Give and Take). Almost everyone you meet feels that they are superior to you in some way. A sure way to their heart is to let them realize that you recognize their importance, sincerely (Dale Carnegie, How To Win Friends & Influence People).

Intimate Relationships

Decades of studying relationships and running a Love Lab, shows that successful couples don’t fight less than other couples – they fight better. Which starts with turning toward them in a positive way, anytime they make a bid for connection (John Gottman and Julie Schwartz Gottman, The LOVE Prescription). The fundamental attribution error is the tendency to attribute negative behavior to their intentions or personality, while attributing our negative behavior to the situation (Patrick Lencioni, The Advantage).

Women are more likely to talk about feelings and experiences, and men are more likely to talk about ideas and theories (Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott, Real Relationships). Without love from him, she reacts without respect; without respect from her, he reacts without love. Around and around it goes. I call it the Crazy Cycle (Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, Love & Respect). Not only are our styles of communicating different but our brains, hormones, stress reactions, nutritional requirements, and exercise requirements are different as well (John Gray, PhD, Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus).

Communication Skills

We all have an emotional bank account where trust is the currency, and our actions and communication determines our deposits and withdrawals… Communication is the most important skill in life… Communication experts estimate that it is about 60 percent body language, 30 percent sounds and tone of voice, and only 10 percent is represented by our words (Stephen Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People).

We can improve our body language competency and become more confident… Some communication tips include, a strong introduction, respect everyone, take your time, ask questions and get to know them, and share something personal about yourself (Janine Driver, You Say More Than You Think). People have different baselines of body language behavior, and discomfort can be mistaken for deception… Be careful not to label someone with limited information like one observation (Joe Navarro, What Every Body is Saying).

The quality of your life is fundamentally a function of how you handle crucial conversations that include opposing opinions and strong emotions…start with the heart, learn to look for safety problems, and learn to make the conversation feel more safe (Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler, Crucial Conversations). When we talk about setting the conversational table, there are three ideas that are so basic they are often neglected. Yet these three ideas are key for setting the table for meaningful conversations: invitation, expectations, and preparation (Russell Verhey, The Conversationalist).

Commitments

In sum, no matter the domain, the highly successful had a kind of ferocious determination that was a combination of passion and perseverance. In a word, they had grit (Angela Duckworth, Grit). Grit isn’t inborn, it’s developed like a muscle, and it starts with awareness (Daniel Coyle, The Little Book of Talent). In order to be successful we must have long-term focus and anticipate the future (Tony Robbins, Awaken the Giant Within). The closer psychologists looked at the careers of the gifted, the more it seemed that preparation and practice had a bigger role than natural talent (Malcolm Gladwell, Outliers).

Winners quit all the time. They just quit the right stuff at the right time… If you are considering doing something remarkable, having doubts might be good, along with setting the quitting criteria ahead of time (Seth Godin, Dip). It is important that we all strive to be useful, and some ways we can do so include, have a vision, think big, work hard, be humble, learn, and accept responsibility to help other people (Arnold Schwarzenegger, Be Useful).

Considering all success principles, without self-discipline, none of them work. With self-discipline, they all work (Brian Tracy, No Excuses!). Improving health and reducing stress help increase willpower, specifically exercise, a good night’s rest, quality relationship time, and religious or spiritual practices… The closest thing to a quick fix for willpower, is to slow your breathing to four to six breaths per minute (Kelly McGonigal, PhD, The Willpower Instinct).

Clarity Collaborators

Often times we become so comfortable with our situation we don’t even notice when bad habits sneak in. This is where a Clarity Collaborator can help. Clarity Collaborators are non sport coaches, consultants, and counselors.

Instead of telling yourself, “I can’t do this; it’s too hard,” imagine yourself thinking, “Learning and trying new things is a blast, and I’m going to do more of this.” Now life becomes an adventure with an unending list of opportunities to explore (Rick Warren, DMin, Daniel Amen, MD, Mark Hyman, MD, The Daniel Plan).

Studies show that simply believing we can bring about positive change in our lives increases motivation and performance (Shawn Achor, The Happiness Advantage). Great opportunities are not seen with your eyes they are seen with your mind (Robert Kiyosaki, Rich Dad Poor Dad).

If you are not learning or living at your full potential, if there is a gap between your current reality and your desired reality, it has something to do with one or more of the following, your mindset, motivation, or methods (Jim Kwik, Limitless).

The power which gave this nation its freedom, is the same power that must be used by every individual who becomes self-determining. At least six principles of this power are seen in the story of the Declaration of Independence; Desire, Decision, Faith, Persistence, The Master Mind, and Planning (Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich).

Coaches

Non sport Coaches, like life coaches, executive coaches, or organizational coaches, are not regulated. Coaches are not required to get certified. However, there are some good organizations that offer certifications, helpful knowledge, and best practices for coaching. The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is a leader in coaching certification programs.

Coaches focus on active listening and asking good questions. They help people reflect and think of how to achieve specific results, often goals. They also help them stay accountable to results or goals. They help them reflect and think of ways to maximize opportunities and avoid or overcome challenges.

Consultants

Consultants are not regulated or required to get certified. They basically give advice on how to achieve a future result. Consultants are expected to have a good amount of experience in the field that they are consulting. They usually have a specific “formula” or method to help people achieve results in their area of expertise.

Counselors

Counselors, sometimes referred to as therapists, are regulated. They are required to get specific knowledge and a certification. They focus on active listening and asking good questions, that help people reflect on personal problems. They help people reflect on how past behaviors and events created challenges in their life. They help people reflect on how future changes in behaviors can create opportunities. They often have many years of higher education and studies around human nature, human development, and sociology.

If you enjoyed that, you might also enjoy the blog posts, Communication Skills; Meaning in Life; and Great Nations.