Dog Save Us From Academics

Yesterday, the ABC ran a story on goal setting for the New Year. You can read the ABC story here, and the full scholarly article here. If I had to summarise the theme of either/both, it would be: if you fail at your goal, you will feel bad; it is uncomfortable to feel bad, so just lower - or "open end" - your goal so that no matter what the outcome you will have success.

Also yesterday, I read the monthly newsletter I get from Steve Bechtel at the Climb Strong team. Steve Bechtel is a climber, coach, and, I would argue one of the most articulate and intelligent of the legion of climbing coaches out there today. Oh, and he's a crusher too. Steve's missive this month was all about goal setting. But, unlike the academic who thinks we should simply move the goal post to achieve success, this month's newsletter contained three strong approaches that can be implemented right now to help us achieve our goals.

I would like to provide you with a link to Bechtel's monthly newsletter, but it is a "sign-up" service (the newsletter is free). However, I will link you to Steve's lessons from 2020 which will give you an idea of how Steve thinks. Although the focus is on climbing, the information is pertinent to any goals you may have in life be they personal, professional or recreational.

The basic premise of my argument is that these two approaches are completely divergent. The received wisdom from health coaches, dieticians, academics, etc. is that it is difficult to change behaviour or achieve goals and most people fail. Failure is uncomfortable and no-one should be uncomfortable so change the goal or lower the standard of behaviour so that you can call yourself a success. This is essentially how we have come to a point where mainstream experts recommend "moderation" and continually lower the goal posts on what is acceptable in the realm of human health and performance.

Alternatively, a dude who runs a training centre for climbers (and other athletes) in Lander, Wyoming with a track record of completing dozens of hard climbs (many first ascents), coaching diverse athletes to success and juggling family, career, business to maintain his own crusher status as he passes 50 argues for an approach that, while recognising that behaviour change (a necessary precursor to achieving any goal) is difficult has concrete and implementable strategies to help you succeed.

Ultimately, it is up to the individual to choose between these two dichotomous approaches. One offers the modern world "feel good" approach where everyone is a winner but overall standards gradually decline. The other is difficult and holds no guarantee of success, but will build resilience and fortitude.

You choose, but choose wisely, because the further you travel down the one path, the harder it is to take the other.