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The Problem with Traditional Goal-Setting (And What to Do Instead)

CEO in a modern office setting, deeply focused on goal-setting with Really Massive Goals, inspired by visionary leadership strategies.

Vision-driven leadership: A CEO mapping out Really Massive Goals to ignite business growth and inspire success.

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” — Tony Robbins

When we created the S.C.O.R.E. model, it wasn’t just about building another framework for business success—it was about addressing the gaps that traditional methods often overlook. In my own journey, both as an entrepreneur and a coach, I witnessed firsthand how businesses either plateaued or burned out, not because of a lack of effort, but because they lacked clarity, vision, and the systems to sustain growth. We needed a model that didn’t just manage work but made it meaningful. That’s where the R in S.C.O.R.E. comes in—Really Massive Goals.

Without massive goals and a compelling vision, work becomes just that…work. It loses its spark, and businesses fall into the trap of chasing tasks instead of dreams. The R exists because we believe goals should be exciting, transformational, and bold enough to wake you up with purpose every single day. It’s not about to-do lists; it’s about creating a life and business filled with passion and limitless potential.

Why Traditional Goal-Setting Methods Fall Short

Before we dive into what makes Really Massive Goals transformative, let’s address the elephant in the room: traditional goal-setting methods often fail to inspire true growth and passion. Here are three popular methods and why they fall short:

1. SMART Goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound)

While SMART goals are designed to provide clarity and structure, they often reduce ambitious dreams to mundane checklists. Gross. They focus on what’s easily measurable and attainable, which can limit your vision. Instead of inspiring bold thinking, they encourage safe, incremental progress that feels more like ticking boxes than achieving greatness.

Why They Fall Short: SMART goals lack emotional connection and excitement. They don’t ignite passion; they manage tasks.

2. OKRs (Objectives and Key Results)

Popularized by tech giants like Google, OKRs aim to align individual efforts with company-wide objectives. They help organizations stay focused on key priorities.

Why They Fall Short: OKRs can become overly rigid, with key results turning into micromanaged metrics. The focus shifts from the inspiring objective to obsessing over data points, which can kill creativity and intrinsic motivation.

3. BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals)

Coined by Jim Collins, BHAGs are designed to be bold and visionary. They’re meant to challenge organizations to achieve seemingly impossible feats.

Why They Fall Short: While BHAGs encourage ambition, they often lack a practical roadmap. Without actionable steps, BHAGs can feel like distant dreams rather than achievable visions, leading to frustration and disengagement over time.

The Power of Really Massive Goals (RMGs)

RMGs aren’t just about achieving outcomes—they’re about creating a vision so compelling that it pulls you forward, even on the toughest days. Think of it like a game of darts. The ultimate goal is to win, but the targets you aim for change based on strategy and circumstance. Your RMG is the constant vision of success, while the daily tasks are flexible targets that adjust as you progress.

When I introduced this concept to that overwhelmed entrepreneur, everything changed. Instead of chasing uninspiring tasks, he started setting goals that ignited his passion. He wrote them down daily, kept them visible, and infused his life with purpose and excitement. His business thrived, but more importantly, he thrived.

How to Set Really Massive Goals

1. Define a Vision That Excites You

2. Break Down the Vision into Meaningful Milestones

While RMGs are massive, breaking them into milestones helps maintain momentum:

3. Write Down Your Goals Daily

4. Keep Your Goals Visible

5. Communicate Your Goals

Ditch the Checklist, Embrace the Vision

Consider the difference:

Which one excites you more?

Tracking Progress Without Losing the Spark

While RMGs are ambitious, tracking progress is key to maintaining momentum:

The RMG Checklist

Create Goals That Set Your Soul on Fire

Your goals should be more than items on a to-do list. They should be visions that set your soul on fire. They should challenge you, inspire you, and push you to become the person capable of achieving them.

Forget SMART goals. Aim for goals that are bold, thrilling, and transformational. Write them down every day. Keep them in sight. Let them guide your actions and decisions. When you pursue Really Massive Goals, you don’t just achieve success—you create a life and business filled with purpose, passion, and possibility.

Your future isn’t written yet. But your goals? They’re the pen.

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