Ted Talks Daily – Why you should stop setting goals (yes, really) | Emmanuel Acho

Intro

In this episode of Ted Talks Daily, Emmanuel Acho challenges the idea of setting goals and argues that it can lead to failure and disappointment. He shares his personal experience of setting a goal and failing to achieve it, and explores the negative impact it had on his self-esteem and self-efficacy. Acho proposes an alternative approach of having objectives without limitations, allowing for limitless possibilities and growth.

Main Takeaways

The Downside of Goal Setting

• Setting goals can lead to failure and disappointment.
• Acho shares his personal experience of setting a goal and failing to achieve it.
• His injury during the NFL Combine and not getting drafted in the first three rounds shattered his self-esteem and self-efficacy.
• Acho argues that setting goals misidentifies causation and correlation.

The Freedom of Objectives

• Goals give us a North star and motivation.
• We have an insatiable desire for feedback, which is necessary for goal setting.
• The only way to fail in life is to set a goal; instead, have an objective with no limitations.
• Goal setting undermines the freedom of possibility.

Limitless Possibilities

• Possibility is limitless, while goals are fixated on an end.
• Kurt Hammett’s objective was to play his guitar a little bit better every day, which had no end.
• Goals are limiting and can damage self-esteem and self-efficacy.
• Achieve limitlessly with an objective that has no limitations.

Key Terms

• Self-efficacy: the belief in one’s ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task.
• NFL draft: a yearly event where professional American football teams select eligible college football players to join their teams.
• PRX: a media company that produces and distributes audio content.

Summary

The Downside of Goal Setting

Emmanuel Acho shares his personal experience of setting a goal and failing to achieve it. In his case, he tore his quad during the NFL Combine and did not get drafted in the first three rounds. This experience shattered his self-esteem and self-efficacy, as he had focused solely on achieving that goal. Acho argues that setting goals can lead to failure and disappointment, and that it misidentifies causation and correlation. He suggests that we should reconsider the popularization of goal setting and explore alternative approaches.

The Freedom of Objectives

Acho highlights the importance of having objectives without limitations. While goals provide a sense of direction and motivation, they can also undermine the freedom of possibility. Acho believes that the only way to fail in life is to set a goal, as it restricts potential growth and exploration. He encourages individuals to have objectives that allow for continuous improvement and limitless possibilities. Feedback plays a crucial role in this process, as it helps guide and refine objectives along the way.

Limitless Possibilities

Possibility is limitless, while goals are fixated on an end point. Acho shares the example of Kurt Hammett, who approached his guitar playing with the objective of getting a little bit better every day. This objective had no end, allowing for ongoing growth and development. Acho argues that goals, on the other hand, can be limiting and detrimental to self-esteem and self-efficacy. By embracing objectives with no limitations, individuals can achieve limitlessly and unlock their full potential.

Conclusion

Emmanuel Acho challenges the notion of setting goals and presents a compelling argument for embracing objectives without limitations. He shares his personal experience of the negative impact of goal setting and highlights the freedom and growth that come with limitless possibilities. By reevaluating our approach to goal setting, we can cultivate a mindset that fosters continuous improvement and allows us to achieve beyond our perceived limitations.