Having a goal can help you figure out what to spend your time and money on. A goal can help you stay on track. 

A big goal adds some spark and fire in there as well. A big goal can feed your purpose and passion. A big goal likely takes time and will make some kind of impact. 

Over the years I have talked about having a BHAG. This is a concept developed by Jim Collins. From his website: 

BHAG is a concept developed in the book Built to Last. A BHAG (pronounced “Bee Hag,” short for “Big Hairy Audacious Goal”) is a powerful way to stimulate progress. A BHAG is clear and compelling, needing little explanation; people get it right away. Think of the NASA moon mission of the 1960s. The best BHAGs require both building for the long term AND exuding a relentless sense of urgency: What do we need to do today, with monomaniacal focus, and tomorrow, and the next day, to defy the probabilities and ultimately achieve our BHAG?

It’s easy to remember and kind of a fun word, but I am a visual thinker. When I see BHAG spelled out, I actually see a fairytale type old hag with a big wart on her face and a hair coming out of that wart. That is not an image I want to keep in my mind.

My neighbors planted a magical little garden on the corner plot. It has a birdbath, some sculptures, some wildflowers, and the biggest sunflower I have ever seen. It’s particularly striking right in the middle of the city. 

It seemed to reach a great height when I wasn’t paying attention. I had to take a picture of me in front of it for perspective. I am 5’2” and it is easily 9 feet tall! I started thinking that maybe we should rename the BHAG a “sunflower goal.” That is BIG. And pretty and yellow – bonus! 

I am currently setting some goals for the next four months through the end of the year. I am still a little fuzzy on the metrics I will use to track progress toward these goals, but I am going to be spending more time promoting my book and getting speaking gigs. I am happy to speak for free for the right audience, but I also want to book several paid speaking engagements as well. 

Personally, I am recommitting to making art. I joined an arts guild and currently have a drawing in a show in Wilmette, IL. I also plan on joining a local arts center and getting more involved with them. It’s close to me and I think they put on some of the best shows I have seen. I would like to have my work in those shows. 

So, if like me, you don’t love the BHAG term, but like the concept, consider something more striking and beautiful like a giant sunflower. 

Our brains love visual images and it might be just the thing to get you motivated. 

Photo by Alexa Williams on Unsplash