How to REALLY Get What You Say You Want

Goal vs. Commitment

I was working with a client the other day on the promises she had made herself for the week.  One promise was to make 10 sales calls to potential customers.  When I asked if she had done it, she was pretty excited.  She said, “I made 8!”

I said, “That’s great.  You sound very excited!”

She said, “I am.  Normally, I only make 1 or 2.”

I said, “Congratulations.”

Then I asked the tough question, the question that is the reason why people hire coaches, the pushy, annoying question:  “Why didn’t you make 10 calls?”

“Well I made 8.  That was really good.”

“Yes; I agreed.  That was really good.  I am just curious what happened to keep you from doing what you said you would do – make the 10 calls?”

“Oh,” she said, “well 10 was just a goal.”

Have you ever heard this before?  Have you said it yourself?  What is a goal?  For many people it is something short of a commitment.

It means, “I will try.”  It seems to mean, “I am aware that I cannot, or will not, do that, but it gives me something to aim for.”

Now, I think it’s great to have something to aim for.  I believe this is a great mindset and a way to move forward.  However, the problem is when we have a “goal,” we often hold back.  We don’t go all out.

When however, we decided we are committed, we have an entirely different mindset.  We say, “I am committed to being a good parent to my children.”  Sports teams say, “We are committed to winning.”

We may say, “I am committed to getting a new job.”  Yet something stops us from saying, “I am committed to getting a new job by November 1st.”  What is that thing that stops us?  Often it is fear of failing.  A fear that if I say I’ll do it by November 1, I’ll have to deal with the fact that I didn’t do it by November 1.  Therefore, we call it a “goal.”  A goal gives us the ability to hedge; it gives us some wiggle room.

But consider what would be different if you decided to make commitments instead of goals.  Not necessarily everywhere.  Sometimes it’s good to consciously state, “This is just a goal.”  What is most important though, is to be conscious of what you are promising – to “try” (a goal) or to “do it” (a commitment)?  Sometimes, though it is scary, if you really want to get that thing you are after, you will want to make a commitment to yourself.  See what happens.

And let us know!

About the Author

Cami McLaren

Cami McLaren

is the owner of McLaren Coaching. She has been coaching professionals and leaders since early 2008. She runs Transformative Coaching Essentials, a coach training program that produces first rate Professional Coaches and "Coach-Style Leaders." She coaches individually and works with organizations to improve communication, time management, productivity and ultimately bring greater results.

Get Our Newsletter
Recent Posts

Coach Highlight – Tim Stephenson

CM: Why did you enter TCE? And/or, what did you want to get out of it? TS: I entered TCE because I wanted to learn how to be with people the way my coach, Cami, was with me. I saw the power in that relationship...

Read More

Resilient

I am reading the book Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength and Happiness by Rick Hanson (also the author of Buddha’s Brain). I found a section I wanted to share, because it articulated something so powerful to me in getting what...

Read More
Coach Highlight - MK Chavez

Coach Highlight – MK Chavez

CM: Why did you enter TCE? And/or, what did you want to get out of it? MK: I stepped into the TCE journey seeking the foundational skills of coaching because I had a transformative experience in coaching (as a client), and I wanted to bring...

Read More
Be committed, but not attached

Be committed, but not attached

A long time ago, I heard this quote that really messed with my brain. Though I cannot find the source of this exact quote, there are many similar Buddhist tenets. It has really helped me get what I want in my life, though! “Be committed,...

Read More

Share this Post

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email