#132: Celebrating too soon
Why do we do things? We do things because we hope to get a reward of some sort for doing it. In other words, we are ‘willing-to-do’ because we are ‘hoping-to-get’.
When you set goals for others, it helps to distinguish between goal-directed activity and goal activity. Goal-directed activity is what we do to reach a goal. Goal activity is what we do when we reach the goal. Goal-directed activity increases our need or desire; goal activity reduces need-strength.
Here is a good example. Preparing dinner is goal-directed activity. The closer you get to the end of making dinner, the hungrier you become. Eating dinner is goal activity; the more you eat, the less hungry you become.
Why does this distinction matter? If you celebrate the end of a project before it is totally done, you will struggle to get your people to wrap up the loose ends and finish it completely.
I’m james@nonsenseatwork.com
Copyright: 2007 James Henry McIntosh
James can be heard on Public Radio, 88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA.
Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
When you set goals for others, it helps to distinguish between goal-directed activity and goal activity. Goal-directed activity is what we do to reach a goal. Goal activity is what we do when we reach the goal. Goal-directed activity increases our need or desire; goal activity reduces need-strength.
Here is a good example. Preparing dinner is goal-directed activity. The closer you get to the end of making dinner, the hungrier you become. Eating dinner is goal activity; the more you eat, the less hungry you become.
Why does this distinction matter? If you celebrate the end of a project before it is totally done, you will struggle to get your people to wrap up the loose ends and finish it completely.
I’m james@nonsenseatwork.com
Copyright: 2007 James Henry McIntosh
James can be heard on Public Radio, 88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA.
Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
posted by James Henry McIntosh at
8:20 AM
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