What you measure you can manage.
Happy Friday, Brew Nation!
Grab your favorite coffee mug and get ready to embark on a transformative journey. The Champions Brew Newsletter is here to invigorate your mornings(and evenings!) and ignite your drive for personal growth and impact. As you savor your first brew of the day, let the Champions Brew infuse you with the insights and strategies you need to make each day a stepping stone towards your aspirations. Let’s Go!
A Twist from The Champions Brew
Welcome to this special Friday night edition of The Champions Brew! While we typically share our insights on Friday mornings, tonight’s post comes with a refreshing cold brew in hand. As I enjoy this moment, I reflect on the wonderful time spent with family throughout the Christmas season. The holidays are always a great reminder of the importance of connection and growth, both personally and within our communities.
Goal setting is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. However, not all goals are created equal. Understanding your comfort zone when it comes to goal setting can significantly impact your motivation and success. In this week’s Champions Brew, I’ll explore the three zones of learning—comfort, learning, and panic—and introduce three personas that correspond to each zone: the Lounger, the Leaned in, and the Leapfrogger.
The Three Zones of Learning
- Comfort Zone: This is where you feel safe and secure. Goals set in this zone are often easy to achieve and may not push you to grow. While these goals can provide a sense of accomplishment, they might also lead to stagnation.
- Learning Zone: This is the sweet spot for growth. Goals here are challenging but achievable, often referred to as stretch goals. They push you out of your comfort zone and encourage you to develop new skills and competencies.
- Panic Zone: Goals set in this zone can be overwhelming and lead to stress and anxiety. These goals are often unrealistic and can hinder progress rather than promote it.
The Three Personas
- The Lounger
Zone: Comfort
Goal Type: Easy Goals
Description: The Lounger persona tends to set goals that require minimal effort. They often stick to what they know, avoiding challenges to maintain comfort. While this can provide quick wins, it can also lead to complacency.
Example Goal: “I will read one book this quarter.”
Tip for Growth: Start by tweaking your goals to be slightly more challenging. For instance, aim to read two books that are outside your usual genre to expand your horizons.
2. The Leaned In
Zone: Learning
Goal Type: Stretch Goals
Description: The Leaned-In persona is characterized by their eagerness to embrace challenges. They lean forward in their chair, ready to engage and grow, even if it means stepping out of their comfort zone. This persona thrives on pushing boundaries and is open to experiencing a bit of discomfort in pursuit of their goals.
Tip for Success: Break down your stretch goals into smaller, actionable steps. This will help maintain motivation and provide a clear path forward, ensuring you stay on track.
3. The Leapfrogger
Zone: Panic
Goal Type: Panic Goals
Description The Leapfrogger persona tends to jump into ambitious goals without fully assessing their feasibility. They leap from one extreme to another, often overcommitting and creating overwhelming pressure for themselves. This persona is enthusiastic but may need to learn the importance of pacing and realistic planning.
Example Goal: “I will launch a new business, write a book, and travel the world all within the next year.”
Tip for Balance: Reassess and prioritize your goals. Break them down into manageable pieces and set realistic timelines. Focus on one major goal at a time to avoid burnout.
My 2025 Goals: Embracing the Learning Zone
As I look ahead to 2025, I’m stepping outside my comfort zone and am even on the edge of the learning zone. I’ve signed up for my first Spartan race in May, which is both exhilarating and intimidating. Additionally, I’ve committed to reading the entire Bible all the way through—this will be my third time doing so. These two personal goals will undoubtedly challenge me, forcing me to grow and push my boundaries. I will keep you updated on these throughout the year.
I also have various business goals lined up, but I believe these personal challenges will set the tone for my growth in the coming year. They will require discipline, commitment, and a willingness to embrace discomfort.
Finding Your Balance
Understanding which persona you relate to can help you tailor your goal-setting approach. Here are some strategies for finding balance across the three zones:
Self-Reflection: Take time to evaluate your current goals. Are they too easy, too hard, or just right?
Set SMART Goals: Ensure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Seek Feedback: Discuss your goals with mentors or peers to gain perspective and accountability.
Being successful as a leader requires intentional leadership habits. That’s why I developed the Ideal Week template – a tool that helps me identify disciplines and habits needed for success and allocate the necessary time. It guides you through planning your ideal week, ensuring you dedicate time to the activities that bring you closer to your goals.
Want to give it a try? Email me at [email protected] with the words ‘IDEAL WEEK’ in the subject line and I’ll send you a copy of the Ideal Week template complete with a sample to get you started!
- Quote of the week:
“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” — Marie Curie
What You Need to Do:
Call to Action: Your Turn to Set Goals – As we wrap up this special Friday night edition, I encourage you to think about your own goals for 2025. What challenges are you willing to embrace? What goals will push you outside your comfort zone and foster your growth? Share your aspirations with us in the comments below. Let’s inspire each other to reach new heights in the coming year!
If this resonates with you, and you’d like to be inspired, equipped, and encouraged through personalized coaching and accountability, contact me today! Visit my website at https://coachjohngallagher.com/freecall to learn more and schedule a complimentary consultation call.
It’s an honor to be your trusted “Friday Coffee Guy”. Each week, I’m excited to provide yet another round of curated content that I’ve been reading, listening to, watching, or thinking over. The purpose of the Champions Brew is to inspire, equip and encourage you to become the uncommon leader you were designed to be. I am so grateful for your decision to invest a few moments with me! I hope you enjoyed this week’s edition of Champions Brew. If you did, I would appreciate it if you would share it with someone who might enjoy it as well and ask them to subscribe! I will make sure they automatically get this email every week.
Until next time, Go and Grow Champions!
P.S. – Are you a podcast fan? Maybe the Uncommon Leader podcast is for you. Are you interested in being a guest on the Uncommon Leader Podcast? Do you have a story to tell? Email me [email protected] and let’s have a chat and set something up!!
