Pivot with Jenny Blake

352: “A Goal Should Not Be a Chore” — How to Set Aspirational Pull Goals with Ayelet Fishbach

Dec 10, 2023

In this engaging discussion, Ayelet Fishbach, a behavioral science and marketing professor at the University of Chicago, unpacks her groundbreaking approach to goals. She argues that a powerful goal should pull you in rather than feel like a chore. Ayelet emphasizes the pitfalls of numerical goals and the importance of aspirational targets. She also highlights the role of social support in overcoming setbacks and shares innovative strategies like 'temptation bundling' to enhance motivation and joy in goal achievement.

40:09

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Episode guests

Ayelet Fishbach

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Effective goal setting involves creating aspirational 'pull goals' that align personal desires with intrinsic motivation for greater satisfaction.

Experiencing setbacks during goal pursuit is crucial for growth, as they offer valuable learning opportunities and clarify one's path.

Deep dives

The Role of Collective Goals in Individual Motivation

Growing up in a communal setting can complicate the process of discerning personal goals from those of the group. An individual may find it challenging to maintain motivation when collective expectations overshadow personal desires. Personal experiences shared in the episode illustrate how navigating the dynamics of communal living can provide insights into the way external influences shape individual aspirations. Ultimately, understanding this relationship can help individuals establish a clearer sense of identity and purpose in their pursuits.

Intro

2min

Navigating Collective Aspirations

10min

Rethinking Success Metrics

5min

Motivation: Finding Joy in Goals

9min

The Power of Positive Feedback in Learning

3min

Navigating Challenges for Personal Growth

8min

Balancing Multiple Goals: Achieving Harmony in Aspirations

3min

It is a mistake to frame motivation as a muscle, according to today’s guest, Dr. Ayalet Fischbach. If you set your goals well, they will pull you like a magnet. In this conversation, we cover why numerical goals can backfire, the best practices for choosing a goal, how to monitor progress and cope with setbacks, and why social support is critical.

More About Ayelet: Ayelet Fishbach, PhD, is the Jeffrey Breakenridge Keller Professor of Behavioral Science and Marketing at the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business, and the author of GET IT DONE: Surprising Lessons from the Science of Motivation. She is the past president of the Society for the Science of Motivation and the International Social Cognition Network. She is an expert on motivation and decision making.

🌟 3 Key Takeaways

A powerful goal defines an aspirational state, not the means to get there.
It’s a mistake to frame motivation as a muscle: If you set the goal right, it will pull you; it shouldn’t feel like a chore.
There are three traps to watch out for: framing it as a means to another goal instead of the end goal itself; setting a goal that is too specific or concrete instead of an abstract goal; and setting a goal in terms of something to avoid rather than something you wish to approach.