Defining What the Most Extreme Goals Are
Clearly identify what the most extreme goals are and then align yourself to achieving those goals. Focus on the extreme goals. These are the goals, that if you fail at them, their failure renders all other achievement inconsequential. You still have the other goals on the radar, but you need to complete the most extreme goals before addressing the less important goals.
An air traffic controller lands one plane at a time. If he tries 2 or 3, then he knows he risks the possibility of those planes crashing. He lands one, and then the next one on his radar. We tend to focus on seven to eight goals, when the optimum thing to do is focus on 2 to 3 most important goals, and to do them with excellence.
How to define the most extreme goals (acronym SMART):
o Specific and Clear
o Measurable at the standard of it being explicitly linked to the larger strategy.
o Actionable and Executive
o Reasonable and easy to communicate
o Time Bound – Deadline driven
At an organizational level, the problem of not acknowledging the extreme goal multiplies exponentially as it trickles through all department. Imam Maududi (raheemullah) gives an analogy of a clock. The organization needs to work like a clock, and the leaders job is to assure that. If one gear is not properly aligned with another gear then the time itself can start lagging. We need to assure that all parts are spinning in an alignment with the most important goals.
Questions to ask:
o Do you know what the most important goals are?
o Do you know how you are doing on those goals?
o Do you know exactly what you are suppose to do to achieve those goals?
o Do you have a support network to assist you plan and celebrate your achievements?