S.M.A.R.T. Vs D.U.M.B. goals - Brendon Burchard

Summary

The speaker passionately critiques the overemphasis on SMART goals in our culture, advocating for the return of 'DUMB' goals—Dream-driven, Uplifting, Meaningful, and Bold. They argue that society has become too realistic, stifling our ability to dream big and achieve extraordinary feats, like putting a man on the moon. The speaker encourages setting goals that inspire and excite, rather than merely being attainable, and emphasizes the importance of aligning goals with one's dreams and aspirations to truly ignite passion and drive.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The speaker criticizes the overemphasis on SMART goals, which are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound, arguing that they can limit our ambition and creativity.
• 🌗 The speaker encourages dreaming big and setting 'DUMB' goals, which stand for Dream, Uplifting, Measurable, and Big, as a way to inspire and motivate towards greater achievements.
• 🚀 The importance of setting goals that are not just realistic but also ambitious, like putting a man on the moon, is highlighted to inspire moonshot thinking.
• 🌟 The speaker emphasizes the need to reconnect with our dreams and aspirations, which can often be overshadowed by the pursuit of practical, attainable goals.
• 🔥 The 'fire' of ambition and passion is essential for achieving great things and should be reignited in our personal and professional lives.
• 🎯 The process of goal-setting should start with the 'what' (the dream or vision) rather than the 'how' (the practical steps to achieve it).
• 🌍 The speaker uses examples like eradicating diseases and space exploration to illustrate the power of setting large, transformative goals.
• 💭 The idea that SMART goals can sometimes become distractions from our true dreams and life's work is presented, suggesting that they can lead to busy work rather than meaningful accomplishment.
• 🌈 The importance of framing goals in a positive and uplifting manner is discussed, as negative or deficit-driven goals can be demotivating.
• 💡 The speaker suggests that goals should be compelling, attractive, and aligned with one's dream or destiny to increase the likelihood of taking action towards them.
• ✨ The transcript calls for a shift in goal-setting mindset, from focusing on the practical to embracing the extraordinary and the seemingly impossible.

Q & A

What is the speaker's main concern about the current culture of setting goals?

The speaker is concerned that the current culture is too focused on SMART goals, which are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound, potentially leading to a society that sets too small of goals and lacks ambition.

What does the speaker suggest is missing in today's culture of goal setting?

The speaker suggests that today's culture is missing the 'moonshot' dreams and ideas, the big, ambitious goals that push boundaries and inspire innovation.

Why does the speaker argue that setting unrealistic goals can be beneficial?

The speaker argues that setting unrealistic goals can be beneficial because they inspire creativity, innovation, and ambition, leading to breakthroughs that might not have been possible with more conventional, realistic goals.

What historical examples does the speaker provide to illustrate the importance of setting big, seemingly impossible goals?

The speaker provides examples such as Columbus sailing across the ocean, Martin Luther King's march on Washington, and the space missions to put a man on the moon and in orbit, all of which were initially considered impossible but led to significant achievements.

What does the speaker propose as an alternative to SMART goals?

The speaker proposes 'DUMB' goals as an alternative to SMART goals, with 'DUMB' standing for Dream-Driven, Uplifting, and Meaningful Big goals that inspire and motivate individuals to achieve more than they thought possible.

How does the speaker define 'DUMB' goals?

The speaker defines 'DUMB' goals as those that are Dream-Driven, Uplifting, and Meaningful Big goals, which are ambitious, inspiring, and focused on positive outcomes rather than just avoiding negative ones.

What is the speaker's advice on how to approach the 'how' of achieving a goal?

The speaker advises to start with the 'what' of the goal, the dream or vision, and only later consider the 'how', as the initial focus should be on igniting passion and ambition rather than on the logistics of execution.

Why is it important to make goals uplifting according to the speaker?

According to the speaker, making goals uplifting is important because it makes them attractive and compelling, increasing the likelihood that individuals will take action and remain motivated to achieve them.

What is the speaker's view on the relationship between busy work and achieving one's life's work?

The speaker believes that there is a difference between busy work, which can be a distraction, and achieving one's life's work or mission. The focus should be on setting and pursuing goals that align with one's dreams and aspirations, not just on being busy.

How does the speaker encourage people to think about their goals in a new way?

The speaker encourages people to think about their goals in a new way by focusing on setting dream-driven, uplifting, and meaningful big goals that inspire and excite them, rather than just setting goals based on what is currently achievable or measurable.