This blog post concludes a series on goals and highlights the importance of balancing pre-determined, outcome-focused goals with emergent possibilities to avoid burnout. It references Nobel laureate physicist Richard Feynman’s experience with depressive phases and imposter syndrome, and discusses how his reframing of his work as play rekindled his passion for physics and ultimately led to his Nobel Prize. The post explores the concept of obliquity, or an indirect approach, to decision-making and problem-solving, and emphasizes the need to incorporate oblique approaches into personal and corporate goal setting. The post also announces an upcoming series on Organizational Stagecraft and a cohort program on the same topic.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| The importance of a positivist vs constructionist approach to goals | Shift from exclusive focus on outcome-focused goals to considering emergent possibilities | More emphasis on embracing uncertainty and allowing for experimentation in goal-setting | Desire for personal fulfillment and avoiding burnout |
| The impact of reframing goals as play instead of burden | Shift from viewing goals as responsibilities to seeing them as sources of enjoyment | Increased motivation and passion in pursuing goals | Desire for personal fulfillment and enjoyment in work |
| The oblique approach to goals | Shift from direct, linear approach to decision-making and problem-solving to a more iterative and adaptive approach | Greater recognition of the complexity and unpredictability of outcomes | Desire for effective decision-making and adaptation to changing circumstances |