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Grace Song (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

As the year goes by and we pursue more goals, I believe that it is natural to reflect on our aspirations and desires for the months ahead. Whether it is personal growth, career advancement or enhancing overall well-being, setting goals and being productive are fundamental steps towards success. Though it is true that not all goals are created equal, to truly maximize our potential and productivity, it is worthwhile to set SMART goals and explore the Goldilocks principle. 

SMART goals, are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. 

1. 1. Specificity—clarity is imperative.
      • Be specific about what you want to accomplish. Vague objectives are harder to pursue and easier to abandon.
      • Try to ask yourself: What do I want to achieve? Why is it important to me? How will I accomplish it?
      • Example: Instead of setting a goal to “exercise more,” try being more specific, like “I will go to the fitness centre three times per week for one-hour sessions on the treadmill.”
   2. Measurability—track your progress.
      • Measurability allows you to track your progress and stay motivated. 
      • Define tangible metrics.

• Example: If your goal is to be more financially literate, build a budget tracker and specify the exact amount you aim to spend and save each month. 

• Achievability—be realistic.

• While it is important to dream big, setting unrealistic goals can lead to frustration and demotivation.

• Break down larger goals into smaller tasks.

• Example: If you are striving for a career change, update your CV, network with professionals and acquire skillsets that may set you apart from others.

• Relevance—align your goals with your values.

• Ensure that your goals are relevant to your aspirations and values. 

• Consider how each goal contributes to your overall vision for growth.

• Eliminate any goals that do not align with your values. 

• Example: If one of your core values is environmental sustainability, consider setting a goal to reduce your carbon footprint by using other modes of transportation (e.g. walking, biking, busing) frequently.

• Time-bound—setting deadlines for accountability. 

• Without deadlines, goals can often linger indefinitely, losing their urgency.

• Set specific timeframes for achieving each goal, whether they be short, medium or long-term.

• Example: Instead of saying “I want to learn a new language,” specify it as “I will enroll in French classes and achieve conversational fluency in six months.”

Setting SMART goals is a powerful strategy for maximizing productivity and achieving success. By incorporating specificity, measurability, achievability, relevance and time-bound criteria into your goal-setting process, you can create a roadmap for personal and professional growth that is both actionable and motivating. 

Now, how does the Goldilocks participle play a role in goal setting? The Goldilocks principle, often referred to as the “just right” principle, is a concept derived from the “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” fairy tale. In the story, Goldilocks encounters three bowls of porridge, three chairs and three beds, each with varying degrees of temperature, size and comfort. She ultimately chooses the ones that are “just right.” The theory suggests that there is an ideal level of challenge or workload that maximizes performance/efficiency. Let us explore how this theory applies to productivity: 

1. Task difficulty
   • Tasks that are too simple may lead to complacency, resulting in decreased motivation.
   • Contrarily, tasks that are too difficult can lead to feeling overwhelmed, impairing productivity.
   • The “just right” level of task difficulty strikes a balance between being challenging enough to stimulate interest and skill development, but not so challenging as to be overwhelming.
2. Workload
   • A workload that is too light may lead to underutilization of skills, resulting in feelings of unfulfillment. 
   • Conversely, an excessively heavy workload can lead to burnout over time. 
   • The theory suggests that the optimal workload is one that is manageable, allowing individuals to maintain focus without feeling overwhelmed. 
3. Environment
   • Environmental factors (background noise, lighting, temperature) can impact productivity. 
   • An environment that is too noisy, bright or uncomfortable may hinder concentration. 
   • On the other hand, an environment that is too quiet or dull may lead to fatigue and decreased motivation.
   • The “just right” environment is one that is conducive to productivity, providing a comfortable and stimulating atmosphere.
4. Time management
   • Effective time management involves finding the right balance between work and self-care/leisure activities. 
   • Spending too much time on work without adequate breaks can lead to diminishing cognitive function and productivity.
   • Conversely, excessive leisure time or procrastination can lead to missed deadlines and increased stress.
   • Time management involves scheduling tasks and breaks in a strategic way that optimizes productivity and well-being, allowing for periods of focused work interspersed with rest.

The Goldilocks participle emphasizes optimal balance in various aspects of work and life to maximize performance, satisfaction and well-being. By striving for tasks, workloads, environments and time management strategies that are “just right,” we can cultivate a more sustainable and fulfilling approach to productivity. 

Knowing these two aspects of goal-setting and productivity, I hope that we can all have a fulfilling year ahead, whether you are in your studies, changing careers, raising children or working on personal growth.

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