Should you try 'anti-goal' setting in 2023?

I’ve always envied those who are great goal-setters. Somehow they manage to figure out what they want, how to achieve it and then follow-through before moving onto the next thing. I’d be lucky to even determine something I really want!

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And I know I’m not the only one. Time after time conversations with friends are about figuring things out. Uncertainty with career, relationships, hobbies. We’ve been encouraged since high-school to make big decisions on study and a career we’d likely pursue for the next 40 years. A pretty big ask even for me now as I enter my thirties. 

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But what if we reverse it? Instead of focusing on what we want, focus on what we don’t want (career red flags if you like?). I know I could fill a page with those. Then use that list to figure out what we want out of our career, and how to get it.

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It could look something like this…

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I don’t want:

• Long boring meetings
• To be in the office every day
• To be stuck in the same role for years
• A toxic work environment
• To miss out on family time because I’m stuck at work
• To work for a company that’s destroying the environment 
• Etc

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Setting goals suggests ‘big-picture’ thinking, and having all the answers up front. The beauty of an anti-goal is that once you know what you’re trying to avoid, your goals become less overwhelming. Instead of trying to decide the exact job title and/ or company you want to work for, you can focus on things like flexible working hours, growth opportunities and company alignment.

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