There is a lot of theory and a lot of chatter online and offline about goal-setting:
- “Are your goals SMART?”
- “Should you focus on problem solving instead of goal-setting?”
- “Is goal-setting simply wishful thinking?”
- “Do people obsess about setting goals as a way to avoid taking action?”
While I recognize that some people may have a bias toward goal-setting, and others towards problem solving, I still see a problem solving orientation as a form of goal-setting. Classic goal-setting which focuses on where I want to go and what do I want to achieve seems to appeal to those with and offensive mindset whereas problem solving seems to click for those with a defensive mindset. However, if you are a problem solver, you are in a sense focusing on the goal of solving that problem; ultimately you are focused, which is the start of any successful outcome.