Multi-Goaling

People say I’m good at multitasking.  I say, “Nonsense.”

I can only focus on one task at a time.  I just switch from one task to another quickly.  As my yoga teacher says, I can go from, “being Buddha to channeling a thunderstorm in one nanosecond.”

But aren’t we missing the point when we admire multitasking?  I prefer multi-goaling. It’s far more effective than multitasking and extremely efficient. Consider an example.

A goalie in a hockey game blocks a shot and deflects it to a teammate.  A single act has accomplished many goals.

1. Blocking the shot.
2. Getting the puck to a teammate so the team might score.
3. Exciting the crowd.  That’s what they are paying for.
4. Intimidating the other team.  It’s easier to win when your opponent loses enthusiasm.
5. Feeling a sense of accomplishment.
6. Learning a skill or earning a living.

Boom!  Block one goal, achieve six of your own.  I’m not suggesting that the goalie thinks about anything other than blocking the shot and, perhaps, deflecting the shot out to a teammate.  I do suggest that if you think through your goals you can become more effective in reaching them, often more than one at a time.

When my goal is clear such as attending a wedding to please my wife, I need to be pleasant on the drive there and not grumble.  I might also move toward other goals by bringing my iPad so I can read the New York Times or do a little writing during a lull in the action.  I can also focus on enjoying the affection between by the couple to be married.  Or I can anticipate great food (don’t tell the nutritionist I work with).

What goals do I accomplish by writing my blog?

1. Having fun.
2. Sharing my life with you.
3. Connecting on a deeper level than normal.  Until I was 31 I never knew what to do at a cocktail party other than try to be invisible and leave as soon as possible.  At that time I was dating Margo, who invited me to her home for a Sunday afternoon wine tasting party.  I seldom drink wine and would not know anyone except the hostess.  But I decided to attend and give “small talk” a try.  I walked into Margo’s house with the specific intent of talking to as many strangers as I could, totally superficially, for no more than ten minutes each.  Then I would excuse myself and corral another guest.  I talked to 19 people that afternoon with entirely forgettable chit chat.  But I prefer that we know each other as deeply as possible – what makes us laugh, how we handle fear, why we like going to the zoo.  That is what makes us special.
4. Pleasing my wife.  She has great writing suggestions, including the hockey game analogy.  Also, I can write at home and spend fewer evenings at the office.  She likes that.
5. Changing your outlook on the world for the better.  Take a look at Catherine Dao’s comment on Magic Piano, and the up close and personal message from Therese.
6. Occupying my niche.  I’ve always thought I needed to be a writer, and believe there is no better goal for any of us than to find our niche and occupy it.

I’m sure you get the point.  Are you goal oriented?  Do you think that developing specific goals is a good idea?  Meanwhile, Tiger Woods is lining up a chip shot to win the tournament, and . . .

Next Tuesday we’re headed outdoors with Go Climb a Mountain.

Alan