In defense of vague goals
Anything in the right direction is a win.
You are likely familiar with SMART goals, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. And then there’s SMARTIE goals, which stands for Strategic, Measurable, Ambitious, Realistic, Time-Bound, Inclusive, and Equitable. An example could be: Write four articles by the end of Q2 that interview experts of color as first sources so they can shape the direction of the story.
The common denominators between these two types of goals are specific, measurable, and time bound. If you really want to get something done, such as writing a book, the best way to do that is to break it into smaller, specific steps, plot out your deadlines for each step, and hold yourself accountable. This is how I’ve done nearly everything my adult life.
Until recently. Lately, I’ve been embracing vague goals in order to build a lifestyle with the habits I want. Instead of “work out for 30 minutes a day 5 days a week,” I’ve opted to focus on “move my body more than half of the week.” This allows me to accomplish the goal in whatever way I can that day. It might be taking a extra walk, like this morning when I needed to take the stuffed bunny to school that we forgot to pack in my son’s backpack. Holding space for vagueness allows me to honor what I feel like doing, too. If I’m feeling stiff, I can opt for yoga instead of weights. Choosing how I accomplish my goal has made me feel more in control and less likely to feel like I’ve failed.
It reminds me a lot of the saying: Politics isn’t a taxi; it’s public transportation. The idea behind this phrase is that it’s unlikely you’ll get a politician that is exactly what you want. But is there a candidate that is in the right direction? This is how I’m thinking about shaping my habits. It doesn’t have to be perfect, and anything in the right direction is a win.
What I’m reading
News Not Noise: Have You Tried Turning Democracy Off and On Again? (This is an important and powerful essay on why we're in a moment of constitutional crisis and how to think about what to do next.)
Goodnight, Commenters: Science Fiction's Thoughts on Collective Constraints
Things You’ll Learn The Hard Way: Your apologies are costing you credibility
New York Times: Say Goodbye to Your Kid’s Imaginary Friend (This is a terrifying article about how chatbots aren’t designed to handle the thoughts and feelings that teens are telling them.)
Nieman Lab: How competition shows influence U.S. politics and shape views about economic inequality
The best thing I made this week
It’s pasta salad season! This weekend I made this mediterranean pasta salad.
See you next week,
Rachel
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