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.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Goals That Pull
Set goals that pull you in like a magnet, rather than pushing yourself.
Ensure the goal aligns with your values and intrinsic motivation, making it feel effortless.
insights INSIGHT
Numerical Goals Can Backfire
Numerical targets can sometimes demotivate people after hitting the goal.
Extrinsic numerical goals can also lead to disengagement or unhealthy behaviors.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Jenny Blake's Goal Setting Challenges
Jenny Blake discusses her personal struggle with setting numerical goals for her creative work.
Despite her aspirations, numerical targets don't motivate her and often lead to failure.
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In 'The Messy Middle,' Scott Belsky delves into the often-overlooked middle phase of projects and ventures, where the initial excitement has worn off and the final success is still uncertain. The book is filled with practical insights, anecdotes, and actionable takeaways from Belsky's own experiences as an entrepreneur and investor. It covers topics such as managing uncertainty, powering through challenges, and making strategic decisions to ensure the success of any bold endeavor.
Get It Done! Surprising Lessons from the Science of Motivation
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Ayelet Fishbach
Ruff Love
Susan Garrett
Pivot
The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One
Jenny Blake
In 'Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One', Jenny Blake introduces the Pivot Method, a four-stage process (Plant, Scan, Pilot, and Launch) designed to help individuals navigate career changes effectively. The book is tailored for anyone seeking a new career direction, considering a second career, or looking to use their talents in new ways. Blake draws from her experience at Google and her own career transitions to provide practical advice, case studies, and interactive exercises to help readers manage the risks associated with change and find new opportunities. The book emphasizes the importance of doubling down on existing strengths, identifying new skills to develop, running small experiments, and taking smart risks to launch in a new direction.
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.
✅ Try This Next
Set one aspirational goal for the year ahead, emphasizing your ideal state (rather than the outcome, or what you’re trying to avoid).
Pivot with Jenny Blake 
