It might not sound that ambitious, but at least having a goal is a pretty good start.

After all, if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there. Have I used this quote before? Probably. It’s right on.

Whether you’re still reflecting on 2017 or setting resolutions for 2018, you’re asking questions. How did you do? How do you want to do? How can you win more?

It’s easier to win when you have a goal. Want to take that trip? Finish a degree? It’s much easier to check the box when there’s a box in the first place. It’s disappointing to fall short, but it’s even worse to fall short of a goal you haven’t even set.

Think about sports. The goals are totally ridiculous. Put this ball through that hoop! Smash your head into some other people so that nobody can carry that tiny ball down the field! Hit that bouncy ball over the net hard enough that it flies past your opponent. aimed well enough to stay inside of those arbitrarily defined lines!

And yet… people love sports. For once, the rules are clear (mostly), somebody wins (usually), and lots of the rest of us get to watch from the safety/laziness of our own couches. So, there’s something to be said for those totally ridiculous goals: People are really into them.

Sure, it helps to be specific (Ball through hoop!). You’ve probably come across the SMART goals concept and thought, Well, yeah, it’s not like I want DUMB goals… Agree. The more specific (and measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely!) your goals are, the more likely you are to be able to reach them. Of course, it helps to have a plan, and to be motivated to follow through, but let’s just do one thing at a time here.

How can you know what makes sense as a goal? Well, data helps. Knowing where you’ve been or what’s happened in the past doesn’t limit you. Instead, it helps you set the bar. What’s your mile pace now? Do you have a passport today? How many people showed up at your last event? Good to know.

But hey, if we didn’t have pie in the sky goals, life wouldn’t be quite as tasty. Hail Mary passes. Product launches. Happily ever after. Go big before you go home.

There’s nothing like reaching a goal. The thrill of victory far outweighs the agony of Wait, what was I trying to do?

Before you get too carried away with HOW and WHEN and WHERE and WHY, take a little time with WHAT YOU WANT, WHAT YOU REALLY REALLY WANT.

Go team!