Moonshot

In the context of one life to live on this little blue planet, there’s value in thinking big… like exponentially.

But incremental change is how we humans visualize and plan the future, e.g., “We’re aiming for 5% YOY growth in 2024.” Exponentials feel unnatural. Unrelatable. But limiting your aspirations only to what's visible might vastly undershoot your true potential.

Consider posing this question to yourself, or to your key folks:

What's your moonshot? Setting aside ALL practicality, describe the most fantastic, inspiring, jaw-dropping goal you can imagine for yourself or your group. Whatever your current goals are for the coming period, why not 10X that? Why not enter a whole new market sector, open an office in a new country, or choose a bold world-changing objective? Why not? Strongly resist dismissing the seemingly preposterous. Write down the most exciting goal you can imagine, then outline the steps needed to get there.

Of course there are a bunch of big unknowns and unanswered questions between here and there! But the answers may only be two or three contacts, conversations, or clicks away. Right now you don't know. You really don’t. No one knows. But that doesn't mean you never will. "Here's someone you should talk to..."

Turn those responses into an inspiring narrative(s) you want to share. Then like Babe Ruth, point at the centerfield fence. Voila'! An exciting, inspiring, motivating reason for everyone to rally and be excited about Monday morning. And as in life, the joy is very much in the pursuit.

Focus on WHAT, but not how, and let the ingenuity of your folks move the puck down the ice.

Here are five business benefits of having a big, audacious, inspirational goal (as opposed to not):

1.     Greater Focus: Immediately, people are more apt to do, say, and see things that are consistent with the goal, and are less likely to waste time on things that aren’t. Both improve the likelihood of success.

2.     Motivation and Inspiration: Audacious goals inspire people to dream big, work hard, persist through obstacles, and shoot for greatness.

3.     Innovation: Big goals encourage people to think creatively and explore ideas they otherwise wouldn’t. People actively challenging convention and pushing boundaries is what drives innovation.

4.     Collaboration: Big goals create a shared purpose that encourages people to pool their skills, knowledge, and resources to accomplish something remarkable.

4.     Self-actualization: Big goals push people beyond their perceived limits, revealing untapped potential and new skills—the very definition of self-actualization.

“We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills…” JFK

Additional benefits: Overall engagement should increase and voluntary turnover decrease because… why would anyone want to be anywhere else?

Thinking exponentially is hard, but it’s also hard to be exceptional if you think like everyone else.

Wishing you a big, bold and beautiful weekend ahead!

Dave

Your thoughts? Hit me:  dave@goodnewsfriday.com

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Written by me, with speed assistance and blunder avoidance by Grammarly