Measuring success

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Welcome to this week's issue of The Birthday Workbook!

We are back after a hiatus for everyone to settle into the rhythm of 2022. As we reach the start of February, many of us might be starting to reflect on whether we are making progress on our resolutions for the New Year. For those of us experiencing a sense of ennui, we read an article by Ivy Tse, on re-thinking how we should measure our goals.

Before you read the article, watch the following video and answer the questions that follow:

Do you think the opening to the video is effective? Why or why not?
According to the speaker, is goal-setting completely pointless? Why or why not?
The speaker refers to the myths propagated by the "personal growth field." Have you encountered this field in your life?

The myth about goal-setting

Now, read the article:

Read on Today

Consider the following questions:

Ivy writes about her experience transitioning from the private to non-profit sector. Why might such a transition have been challenging?
Ivy uses a number of metaphors to describe the process of goal-setting and progress monitoring: a "report card," our "Destination GPS," "distance walked and "distance left." What metaphors speaks most to you when you reflect on your journey?
Do you agree that "we [should] track progress with respect to individual starting points, and not on the end results alone." Why or why not?
Ivy writes that " 'healthy seeking' principles are really counterintuitive as a formula for achieving." What intuitions might these principles challenge?
What beliefs of yours would you like to "clean up"?
Further reflection: Have you every set New Year's Resolutions or "SMART" goals? How effectively did you find these exercises?
Further reflection: What is the difference between an "achievement story" and a "work-in-progress" story? What is your "achievement story" and "work-in-progress story"?

Further Resources:

Aaron Maniam, "Metaphors and Mental Models," Ethos: Journal of the Civil Service College.
Alex Vemeer, "8 ,760 hours: How to get the most of each year."
"Small Steps of Giant Leaps," Farnam Street

We hope you enjoyed this week's issue of The Birthday Workbook.

That's all for this week! Stay safe, take care, and feel free to write to us with your thoughts or feedback!

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