I want to start with a note from my second brain about SMART Goals:
What?
SMART Goals is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. It's a framework used for setting clear and achievable goals.
Why?
Setting vague or overly ambitious goals can lead to frustration and lack of progress. The SMART framework helps you set goals that are both challenging and attainable, providing a clear path to success.
So What?
Using SMART Goals in your productivity system can lead to more effective planning, better time management, and ultimately, the achievement of your objectives.
Now let me ask you, have you ever set SMART Goals?
Have you ever failed to achieve what was established with SMART Goals?
Don’t worry, it’s not your fault. And in a way, it's not even SMART Goals' fault. This just isn’t the best way to achieve objectives, and I'll explain why in this text.
Moreover, I’ll explain how we set goals. In 9POS, you don’t have SMART goals; you have LUCK goals because when you start setting goals, it seems like you have a special kind of luck in achieving them. But it’s not luck; it’s a complete and integrated method that I’ll teach you in this text.
But first, think about what it means to set goals. Goals are results you want to achieve in your life. Or as Chat GPT might say:
"Goals are specific and measurable results that a person or organization wants to achieve within a certain period. They represent clear and tangible targets that help guide focus, motivation, and planning of the necessary activities to achieve them."
And right after that, it will probably talk about SMART goals. In other words, we associate SMART with all the dimensions of a goal, and somehow, if we’ve defined all these dimensions, we will achieve that goal, right?
Well, wrong.
In reality, SMART doesn’t cover all the dimensions of a goal, and even the ones it does cover aren’t complete. Moreover, not all the aspects covered by SMART goals make sense. One of them, the most important, is time.
But this was to be expected; if our conception of time was distorted, there was no way we could get it right when it comes to goals.
So let’s start here: goals.
What are the real dimensions of a goal?
We could initially say that there are two dimensions: a more practical and smaller dimension, in the sense of projects you want to accomplish in your life, and a more conceptual and larger dimension, which is more related to what you want to do with your life, in terms of purpose and mission.
And within this more "objective" and practical dimension of goals, I clearly see four categories: personal and professional goals. Furthermore, I see goals that are relevant to communicate, and goals whose relevance is solely personal—we could say something like private goals and public goals.
Well, that makes it easy because, with a simple search, you can discover that all these dimensions of goals have already been addressed in some way; now it’s just a matter of choosing the best approach.
And this is a very interesting issue because, deep down, we seek something more when we realize that what we have isn’t quite what we want. I believe that 9POS comes to quench a thirst that has existed for a long time in the minds of many brilliant people around the world—people who look around and feel that this isn’t quite what they want.
But let me explain why I digress. Deep down, we know that SMART goals don’t cover all the really important areas; it’s like something that seems logical, something that seems right, but for some reason doesn’t work as we expected.
So, let’s move on to the four quadrants of LUCK goals.
The first quadrant is private and personal. The best way to set these goals is with a Goal Card, though excluding the time dimension.
The second quadrant is private and professional. And the best way to set these goals is with BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal). It needs to be something really big and motivating.
The third quadrant is public and personal. And the best way is by using MTP (Massive Transformative Purpose).
The fourth quadrant is public and professional. And the best way to set these goals is with OKR (Objectives and Key Results).
This way, the dimensions of private and public, personal and professional, are covered, with each framework fulfilling its role in the best possible way.
But you might remember that at the beginning, we talked about two dimensions of goals: one smaller and more practical, and one larger and more conceptual, something like a life purpose.
The smaller and more practical one has been fully addressed in all its aspects; the larger and more conceptual one will be addressed with a concept called "ikigai," which means a reason for being.
If you do this on paper, the most appropriate way to represent it would be to place the "ikigai" at the center of the four quadrants and beneath them. In other words, it forms a kind of four-leaf clover, which is another reason to remember the "luck" this way of thinking will bring you when it comes to achieving your goals.
At 9Pomodoros, we’ve developed a complete process for defining these goals with the help of artificial intelligence. By answering a questionnaire with about a dozen questions (which already have suggested responses, so you don’t have to think too much), the AI defines your goals based on your answers, and you only need to confirm whether it's accurate or if any adjustments are needed.
Due to the deeply complex and fundamentally important nature of this process, this part will be reserved only for those who acquire the 9POS, ensuring they receive the best support.
At the end of this text, I’ll include a note explaining each of the concepts and frameworks used in this process.
🍀 9P LUCK Strategy
What is 9P LUCK Strategy (Life's Ultimate Clarity Kit)?
The 9P LUCK Strategy is a comprehensive framework designed to help you find your life's ultimate purpose and align it with your personal and professional goals. It combines four powerful planning tools—OKR, MTP, BHAG, and Goal Card—into a single, cohesive strategy. The framework is structured like a four-leaf clover, symbolizing a harmonious blend of luck and strategic planning.
What are the 4 Quadrants of the 9P LUCK Strategy?
OKR (Objectives and Key Results): This quadrant focuses on setting measurable objectives and key results for your professional and public life. It's about setting ambitious goals and tracking your progress.
MTP (Massive Transformative Purpose): This quadrant is about identifying a larger-than-life purpose that benefits not just you but also society. It's your personal mission in the public sphere.
BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal): This quadrant is for setting a long-term, audacious goal that aligns with your professional aspirations but is private to you. It's a goal that stretches your capabilities.
Goal Card: This quadrant is for setting specific, actionable, and time-bound goals that are private and personal to you. These are the goals that contribute to your personal well-being and happiness.
At the center of these quadrants is your Ikigai, a Japanese concept that means "a reason for being." Your Ikigai is the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. It's your ultimate life purpose.
What are the Benefits of Using 9P LUCK Strategy?
In summary, the 9P LUCK Strategy is a comprehensive framework that helps you find your life's ultimate purpose and align it with your personal and professional goals. It provides a clear, strategic, and holistic approach to planning your life, ensuring that you're not just successful but also fulfilled and purpose-driven.
🧭 Ikigai
What is Ikigai?
Ikigai is a Japanese concept that translates to "a reason for being." It's the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Finding your Ikigai means discovering a purpose that brings joy and fulfillment.
What is Ikigai Used For?
Ikigai is used as a self-discovery tool to find balance and meaning in life. By exploring the four elements of Ikigai, individuals can identify their passions, strengths, and values, aligning them with their daily lives and careers.
What are the Benefits of Using Ikigai?
Personal Fulfillment: Helps in finding joy and satisfaction in daily activities and work.
Career Alignment: Assists in choosing or shaping a career that resonates with personal strengths and passions.
Life Balance: Encourages a harmonious balance between personal life, work, and community engagement.
Increased Motivation: By aligning with personal values, it can boost motivation and engagement in various aspects of life.
Enhanced Well-being: Focusing on what brings joy and fulfillment can lead to improved mental and emotional well-being.
In summary, Ikigai is a thoughtful concept that guides individuals in discovering their unique purpose and passion. By exploring the intersection of what you love, what you're skilled at, what the world needs, and what can sustain you financially, Ikigai offers a path to a more fulfilling and balanced life. It's a valuable tool for personal growth, career development, and overall well-being.
🌟 BHAG
What is BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goals)?
BHAG stands for Big Hairy Audacious Goals. It's a term coined by business authors James Collins and Jerry Porras, and it refers to a long-term goal that changes the very nature of a business or an individual's existence. These goals are ambitious, often seeming almost impossible, but they are exciting and transformative.
What is BHAG Used For?
BHAG is used to inspire organizations and individuals to aim higher and reach for something that might seem unattainable. It's a visionary goal that stretches boundaries and challenges people to think big. A BHAG serves as a guiding star that aligns efforts and motivates teams or individuals to achieve greatness.
What are the Benefits of Using BHAG?
Inspiration: A BHAG can inspire and energize a team or individual, providing a clear and compelling target to aim for.
Alignment: Helps in aligning efforts across an organization, ensuring that everyone is working towards the same visionary goal.
Innovation: Encourages thinking outside the box and fosters innovation, as achieving a BHAG often requires creative solutions.
Long-term Focus: Provides a long-term direction and helps in maintaining focus on what truly matters in the grand scheme of things.
Motivation: The audacious nature of a BHAG can create a sense of adventure and motivation, driving people to achieve more than they thought possible.
In summary, a BHAG, or Big Hairy Audacious Goal, is a long-term, visionary goal that challenges and inspires. It's about setting sights on something grand and transformative, something that might seem almost out of reach but that drives innovation, alignment, and motivation. Whether used in a business context or for personal development, a BHAG can be a powerful tool to inspire greatness and achieve extraordinary results. It's not about playing it safe but about daring to dream big and reaching for the stars.
🎯 OKR
What is OKR?
OKR stands for Objectives and Key Results. It's a goal-setting framework used by organizations and individuals. The "Objectives" are clear, qualitative goals, and the "Key Results" are specific, measurable outcomes that indicate progress toward those objectives.
What is OKR Used For?
OKR is used to align and engage teams or individuals around common goals. It helps in setting, tracking, and achieving objectives by focusing on measurable results. OKRs are often set quarterly or annually and are regularly reviewed to ensure alignment and progress.
What are the Benefits of Using OKR?
Alignment: Helps teams and individuals align their efforts with organizational goals.
Focus: Encourages concentration on priority objectives, ensuring that efforts are directed toward what matters most.
Transparency: Creates a clear understanding of what's expected and how progress will be measured.
Engagement: Fosters a sense of ownership and engagement by involving team members in goal-setting.
Agility: Allows for regular review and adjustment, promoting responsiveness to change.
Performance Improvement: By focusing on measurable results, OKR encourages continuous improvement and accountability.
In summary, OKR is a powerful tool for setting and achieving goals, promoting alignment, focus, and continuous improvement. It's a flexible framework that can be adapted to various organizational needs, enhancing both individual and team performance.
📜 Goal Card
What is a Goal Card?
A "goal card" is a concept introduced by Napoleon Hill in his book "Think and Grow Rich." It involves writing down a specific financial goal and the plan to achieve it on a card. This card is then read aloud twice daily to condition the subconscious mind to accept these goals as reality.
What is a Goal Card Used For?
The goal card serves as a tool for internalizing and manifesting one's financial and personal aspirations. By reading the card daily, individuals condition their subconscious mind to attract the opportunities and resources necessary to achieve their goals.
What are the Benefits of Using a Goal Card?
Mental Conditioning: Helps in embedding the goal into the subconscious mind, making it a part of one's reality.
Focus and Clarity: Provides a clear and constant reminder of what you're working towards, helping to maintain focus.
Opportunity Recognition: Conditions the mind to recognize and seize opportunities that align with the goal.
Motivation Boost: The daily ritual of reading the card can serve as a motivational exercise.
Goal Achievement: Increases the likelihood of taking actionable steps towards achieving the written goals.
The "goal card" is a powerful concept that facilitates the internalization and manifestation of specific financial and personal goals. By writing down these goals and the plan to achieve them, and then reading this aloud twice daily, individuals condition their subconscious mind to work towards these objectives. It's a valuable tool for anyone looking to achieve specific goals, be it in personal development, career growth, or financial planning.
🌍 MTP
What is MTP?
MTP stands for Massive Transformational Purpose. It is a core mission or purpose that drives an organization or individual to achieve significant and meaningful impact on a large scale. Unlike traditional goals, an MTP is intended to inspire and unite people around a shared vision that transcends short-term objectives, often leading to long-lasting societal or global change.
What is MTP Used For?
MTP is used as a guiding star for organizations and individuals to focus their efforts on creating transformative impact. It serves as a foundation for decision-making, strategic planning, and innovation. By clearly defining a massive and transformational purpose, organizations can align their teams, attract like-minded stakeholders, and maintain a consistent direction in their pursuits.
What are the Benefits of Using MTP?
Inspiration: An MTP inspires people to work toward a cause greater than themselves, fostering passion and commitment.
Alignment: It aligns all activities and decisions with a shared, long-term vision, ensuring coherence in actions across the organization.
Attraction: An MTP draws in talent, partners, and customers who resonate with the purpose, creating a strong community around the cause.
Innovation: It encourages thinking beyond the status quo, driving creativity and innovation to achieve the transformative purpose.
Sustainability: By focusing on a larger purpose, organizations are more likely to make sustainable decisions that contribute to long-term success.
Resilience: An MTP provides a sense of purpose during challenging times, helping organizations and individuals persevere through obstacles.
In summary, MTP is a powerful framework for driving large-scale, meaningful impact. It inspires and aligns teams, encourages innovation, and attracts like-minded individuals and partners. By focusing on a massive and transformational purpose, organizations can achieve lasting change and build a strong foundation for sustained success.
Summary
This text introduces the concept of the 9P LUCK Strategy, which offers an alternative to the traditional SMART goals framework. It argues that SMART goals may not be the most effective way to achieve objectives, as they don't cover all the essential dimensions of goal-setting. Instead, the 9P LUCK Strategy divides goals into four quadrants: private-personal, private-professional, public-personal, and public-professional, each with its own unique approach. The text also introduces the idea of "ikigai," a life purpose that serves as the core of this strategy. The 9P LUCK Strategy uses a cloverleaf structure to symbolize the completeness of this goal-setting method, which is supported by artificial intelligence in the 9Pomodoros system.
Next Article:
Other Articles:
Learn more:
Written by Vinícius P. Breves
👑 The New King of Productivity
🥷 Productivity Expert
⚫️ Founder of 9Pomodoros
✍️ Philosopher & Writer