Last week, I sat down with my former physio team to engage in a semi-structured goal setting exercise. As I was setting up however, I actually realised something vital that had been missing from our strategy this entire time. This annual exercise was more one of self-indulgence than one of true listening, analysis and character building.
A top-down approach to business
The concrete nature of setting SMART goals, although useful, has often diverted my attention from the bigger picture. From the outside, I can now see why that was. I have always known my business goals and objectives, and this activity in it’s own right was actually a way of funnelling others’ into a path that would suit me.
Many physiotherapists are exceptionally good at setting goals and working towards them, independently or with their mentors guidance. However, even as mentors the idea is incredibly flawed. We are simply asking people to set a goal, achieve said goal and quickly move on to the next. It has become more of a box ticking exercise than one of true connection and meaning.
This year, we decided to do things differently and to really zoom out. The major change that occurred with my moving out of the business really demanded this.
Enter Simon Sinek
In the Infinite Game, the goal is to keep the game moving, rather than to achieve a particular set goal. With this mindset, comes far more room to accept the fluctuations within our own lives. Accordingly, setting goals with an infinite mindset means we have far more wiggle room for when life throws us a curveball:
“Attend 2 professional development courses this year”
vs
“I want to be the best therapist I can be”
The former SMART goal is all of those things. But the latter, speaks of a deeper meaning and a purpose. It also means the small goals along the way don’t get ignored. Like attending a last minute dinner invite with a surgical group OR getting a colleague involved with a difficult case. These are the behaviours that are aligned with an infinite mindset.
At a time when culturally staff are pushing back against long hours and towards work-life balance, it really is important to remember why we are going to work in the first place. Having an infinite goal – one goal – that defines all other behaviours, can really help to keep us all on the right track.
Have you thought about your infinite goal??
