A simple question to sharpen your goal-setting skills

Bob Tiede Dec. 13, 2020

my saved content

VIEW AS
A PDF

iStock

In the 50s, the stated goal of NASA was "Leading the World in Space Exploration."

Then John Kennedy became president, and changed NASA's Goal to: "Land a man on the Moon and return him safely to Earth before this decade is out."

What was the difference between the two goals?

The first certainly sounds noble enough—but what's missing? What does the second goal have that the first one does not?

The second answers the simple question every goal should answer: X to Y, by when?

X is where you are now, or your current reality. Y is where you want to go—what your finish line will be. And the "when" part of the question is the exact date you want to cross the finish line.

Let's run the 1950s NASA goal through the test: "Leading the World in Space Exploration."

• X—What is the current reality? Unknown.
• Y—Where do you want to go? Vague. What will be your finish line? Undetermined.
• By when? Unknown.

Let's run John Kennedy's NASA goal through the test: "Land a man on the Moon and return him safely to Earth before this decade is out."

• X—What is the current reality? Earth—no American had been to space.
• Y—Where do you want to go? Moon—and return him safely to Earth. What will be your finish line? A successful launch, landing, and re-entry.
• By when? December 31, 1969.

In which decade would you have wanted to work for NASA? The 50s or the 60s?

In which decade was the goal crystal clear? The 50s or the 60s?

Please pull out your goals—personal and organizational. Do they clearly answer the question of "X to Y, by when?"

If yes—please pat yourself on the back!

If no—how can you restate them so they clearly answer the question?

What will the benefits be to you and your organization if your goals are written so that you go from X to Y by a certain date? What are the benefits of having a clearly stated finish line?

my saved content

VIEW AS
A PDF

Bob Tiede helps leaders everywhere move from telling to asking. He has been on the staff of Cru for 48 years and on the U.S. Leadership Development Team for 16 years. His blog, LeadingWithQuestions.com is followed by leaders in over 190 countries. Bob has written three eBooks available for free download, Great Leaders ASK Questions, 339 Questions Jesus Asked and Now That's a Great Question. Learn More »

• What can Christian leaders learn from a 20-something YouTuber? Quite a lot… (by Zac McGowen)
• Steps to Launching Your Personal Workplace Ministry (by )
• Perpetual disappointment (by Richard Blackaby)
• Working vs. waiting: living in the tension that transforms leadership (by Tim Tucker)

Free eBook

Steps to Launching Your Personal Workplace Ministry

Have you ever felt the pull to full-time ministry work as a missionary or pastor? If not, you can still make a Kingdom impact without quitting your current job. In this eBook, you will learn the four essentials that can change your perspective of work, your workplace, and most importantly, your heart.

Download Now