The above picture is one of the most dangerous sections of inland river in the United Kingdom. I took a group there recently. The water is 30 feet deep (yes, you read that correctly) and the rocks look tantalisingly close to just hop across. Many have tried and failed to do that. If you want to read more about it, search for ‘The Strid’ online.

Why does it relate to this blog?

Initially, setting and getting on with goals looks dead easy. Just a short hop across a calm stretch of water and you’ve made it across to the other side, a braver, more confident and successful person. Except, sometimes it takes more than you think and the risks are insane if you get it wrong. So what to do about that?

This is the first in a series of monthly blogs, six in total, which ask six questions. I will put forward some sort of answer to each question, but you may well wish to develop your own and by all means, share in the comments below. I will then follow these six blogs with an account of how I’m putting my own advice into practice with my own goal.

The questions follow the order of the alphabet. But instead of starting at ABC, I’m going to guide you through OPQRST. There’s a reason for that which I’ll share later on.

So let’s start with the first question:

The letter ‘O’ is for ‘Others’.

Other people are the most important part of your goal. And the question you should start asking yourself is: ”What will my finished goal do for others?”

Let’s try and be exact with the answer(s).

Maybe you’re writing a book. The initial answer could be something like ”I want to write a great book that others will enjoy reading” but that’s way too general, and therefore very easy to fail at. Or worse, easy to kid yourself you have achieved it.

One interesting starting point to generate some answers is to think about books you would instantly advise other people to read. What is it about that book that made an impact? One that comes to my mind is ‘The Dark Tower’ series by Stephen King. I actually feel this series is one of the finest things ever written in English. That’s one heck of an impact from the author, right? Maybe your finished book will inspire your readers to share your book with their friends – you could even specifically instruct your readers to do exactly that, or to put your book in a charity store when they have finished it. Etc. The list goes on.

Whatever your answer is, think about others first.

The answer to my own project for the letter ‘O’ is that I would like others to ask themselves the six questions when they are creating a new goal, and to reflect on their journeys.

Whenever you face challenges during your goal, you can use this first letter as a compass bearing. Maybe you’re developing a new product or service in a business, making a movie, a new song, a painting, whatever. When you have a challenge, just think: ‘what’s best for others? How can others help me to overcome this challenge?’. Not only does this invite fresh perspectives, but it also encourages down-time and social time around people.

The best goals are a fine balance between personal creativity and ‘artistic voice’ against the expectations and desires of others. Too much of the former, and you will lose interest from others. Too much of the latter and you will lose yourself and be dissatisfied with the end result.

Question Two will be posted in August. Until then…