Recently, a coaching client of mine mentioned a phrase that inspired me on the topic of flexibility. The phrase is, “be firm on your goals and flexible about your methods.” At first read, the phrase is clear, concise, and insightful. At the same time, as I sat with it more, my curiosity was peaked on the different parts. I unequivocally agree with the second half, “flexible about your methods.” That phrase applies to just about anything we set out to do in life and goals we work towards. However, the first part of the phrase is what I struggled with a bit. At first read, absolutely, we want to be firm about our goals. In the workplace when setting goals, we ask is the goal SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. Using the SMART approach to setting goals aligns with the first part of the phrase, “be firm about your goals.” However, I suggest that at times, goals may need to be reassessed and flexible to change.
The reflection this week reminded me, of all things, about trout fishing with Daddy in the North Georgia Mountains.
One of Daddy’s favorite trout fishing spots in North Georgia is along Dicks Creek in Lumpkin County. I have many fond memories of being up before the crack of dawn and on the stream banks or river rocks, fishing with Daddy. Our goal was clear and firm, catching as many trout as allowed. However, our methods were always flexible. Daddy brought along several different fishing rods and a wide array of bait. This included canned whole kernel corn (trout love corn apparently) and also a tackle box chock full of various fly lures imitating different things considered appetizing for trout from minnows, worms, nymphs, caddis, spinners, spoons and more. We would adjust our methods with different bait and locations, fishing from the banks, standing on rocks overlooking the falls and deep pools, wading out into the middle of the stream, and casting our lines into different areas of the creek.
All along, while being flexible in our methods, we stayed clear-eyed and firm on our goal: catching as many trout as allowed. And many days, we would catch our limit quickly during the morning, with a full day free ahead. But other days, we got very few bites, caught only a few, and the creek was overcrowded with too many competing fishers. In both circumstances, we were flexible on our goal for the day, and adjusted as necessary. Sometimes, it was adjusting the goal to go fishing in another location, or to the lake nearby to fish for something completely different, or stop fishing altogether and simply enjoy being out in nature with the mountains and streams, or stop by some small towns nearby and get lunch. Either way, we remained firm yet flexible on our goals and flexible on our methods, resulting in a memorable day with family.
The fishing memory reminds me that in other parts of our personal and professional lives being flexible with methods for how you accomplish goals enables you to test different approaches, adjust and adapt where necessary, to reach your ultimate goal(s). It also reminded me of the importance of flexibility in our goals.
Change is the one constant as we all know, and as a result, some goals may start out as SMART, but then circumstances may change the timeliness, reality, or ability to achieve the goal, requiring us to also be flexible or adaptable with the goals themselves too. So, while I agree that we want to be clear-eyed, focused, and firm on our goals once identified and flexible on the methods we use to accomplish the goals, there are also times where we need to be flexible with our goals too.” Another point to consider is the concept of strategic foresight when setting goals. One of the principles of strategic foresight that came to mind for me when considering this quote about “firm on goals” vs. “flexible on goals” is the concept of forecasting alternative futures. These are alternative futures that may occur with each being thought of as a possible scenario. If, in advance, when you set goals, you also consider or forecast alternative future scenarios that may occur and you’d be happy with, then when changes or challenges occur, and they will, you may be flexible to adjust your goals and methods towards one of the several alternative futures you forecasted. Something else to consider.
Being firm to me insinuates rigidity and not moving, but sometimes we do need to reevaluate our goals and move them. Without making it too long or complicated, how might we update this phrase to reflect the flexibility for both the goals and methods while also capturing the spirit of the phrase “be firm on your goals”? I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments for how you’d update the phrase.
I encourage you to reflect on your own stories for how this phrase “be firm on your goals and flexible about your methods” may apply for you. Life is always full of changes, and flexibility or adaptability is a powerful tool to help you thrive as you work towards your professional and personal goals. And as you work towards your goals, remember progress not perfection because as always, Your Story Matters.
