Goals vs Growth

By Amornrat Sidhu

The first of January is often associated with being “a fresh start, a clean slate, ground zero.” Yet, thinking of the first of January as ground zero for a change you want in your life is problematic in a number of ways. First, this viewpoint negates all positive momentum you might have made in the area in the first place. Second, it overlooks all the setbacks that could be/were equal vital in teaching you how to move with your best foot forward. Thirdly, the New Year resolution that has a starting point (January 1st) usually has an ending point (insert date __ here) which means that once the “goal” has been achieved, you are deceived into believing that you are free from the privilege of maintaining it or growing further.

The technicalities between “growth” and “goals” could mean the difference between meaningful, effective change and misguided efforts. Here are five tip to focus on significant, real growth in an area of your life.

It seems like half the journey is mediated by habit:

FEEDBACK

Rather than a sharp focus and a straight shot to the finish line, thinking of your “growth” versus your “goals shapes your journey as a slow jog to the finish line—with many checkpoints along the way. At each checkpoint, you ask various stakeholders related to your journey so far about what worked and what did not. This feedback is critical in allowing you to tweak your jogging style to the next checkpoint.

REFLECTION

At each checkpoint, the most important feedback is your own. Thus, the questions you ask yourself about what worked and what did not, what helped and what did not are the difference between a race to the finish line an in-built check-ins along the course of your marathon.

And it seems like half the journey is mediated by outlook:

JOURNEY/PROCESS

If you are goal-oriented, you view success as a destination, making your achievement temporary and stagnant. If you perceive the journey or process as an opportunity for success, it’s better. If you picture your journey as a web, map, or system made of many moving parts that are interconnected in different ways, that’s the best. This larger-scale thinking is more encompassing of the various factors that influence your ambitions and objectives.

“I CAN’T DO IT…YET”

This concept is a powerful one. It is taught repeatedly as a mantra for primary school students and beyond. This way of thinking is literally called a “Growth Mindset” because it assumes that difficulties are inevitable, but with effort and time, all can be overcome. This attitude already makes you a winner.

GET TO DO THIS”

This outlook can also mightily influence positive progress. Viewing a challenge as a privilege, a puzzle to solve, or an opportunity to prove yourself increases chances of success and eases the journey. You will be more open to the lessons you learn, less likely to get in your own way with self-sabotaging moves, and more likely to come to creative solutions because of the appreciation of being where you are in that moment.

A couple of community members reflect on their own experiences of growth:

SAREENA KHANIJOU
Head Kindergarten Teacher

“The area that I wanted to work on was work-life balance as I received a promotion when I was pregnant. I did not want to forgo this professional opportunity or miss out on crucial parenting moments. It was very challenging at the start, but I adopted the mindset of being eager to learn – and excel – in both areas at the same time. Viewing my challenges as opportunities for growth really helped get me through that difficult time.

NITNEM SINGHSACHAKUL
Student

“With graduation quickly approaching, this year became more about living fully and intentionally. By thinking of my final year as an ongoing journey wherein I want to make every moment count, I have embraced and said yes to opportunities that I might have hesitated about before. I have attended events and initiated conversations with people, and I was just…present. By viewing the journey to my “goal” as a series of choices and experiences, I have achieved creating big memories and meaningful bonds.”