Going Exponential

Transform your selected goals into big, audacious, and transformative goals. Think about what you would aim for if there were no limitations. These goals should push you outside your comfort zone and encourage growth.

Be earnest in your belief that these goals are achievable, even if you don’t yet know how to accomplish them.

Going exponential with your goals means setting objectives that stretch beyond your current capabilities and resources, pushing you to innovate and think creatively. If you can easily identify the steps to achieve a goal, it likely isn’t ambitious enough. Exponential goals challenge you to think outside the box and inspire transformative growth.

Why It Matters?

Setting exponential goals fuels motivation and ignites passion. They encourage you to embrace discomfort and uncertainty, which often leads to greater breakthroughs and achievements. These goals also foster resilience, as the journey toward them will require you to adapt, learn, and grow. By aiming higher, you not only elevate your personal and professional aspirations but also cultivate a mindset of possibility and innovation. You can think big!

Example inspired by 10X is Easier Than 2X. Hardy, B., & Sullivan, D. (2023).

Examples of going exponential:

Example 1) Messy Goal Example: Achieving Financial Security

Original Goal: Hit $1 million in revenue for the business or earn a $100,000 salary.

Exponential Mindset Approach:

1. Ask Why: Why do you want to hit this amount?
   • Answer: To achieve financial security.
2. Shift the Focus: The messy goal is not just about the dollar figure; it’s about achieving financial security.
3. Messy Goal: In the next 12 months, I want to achieve financial security (you may not know the how but you know what you want).
4. Milestone(s): Meet with a financial planner and create a comprehensive financial plan tailored to your goals.
5. KPIs:
   • Track revenue growth or specific savings goals each quarter.

By focusing on the broader outcome—financial security—the goal gets to your why, pushing beyond just hitting a specific number. Why wait to get to the deeper want, your real goal?

Example 2) Messy Goal Example: Achieving Owner Independence

Original Goal: Hire a new staff member.

Exponential Mindset Approach:

1. Ask Why: Why do you want to hire this staff member?
   • Answer: To achieve owner independence and reduce the business’s dependence on me.
2. Shift the Focus: The messy goal is not just about hiring someone; it’s about building a business that operates independently of you.
3. Messy Goal: In the next 12 months, create a fully operational business system that runs efficiently without requiring my constant involvement.
4. Milestone(s): Create a detailed training process, hire a new staff member
5. KPIs:
   • Develop and document one new business process each week.
   • Track the number of tasks or responsibilities successfully offloaded to the new staff member.

By focusing on the broader outcome—achieving owner independence—the goal becomes more exponential, moving beyond just adding an employee.

Example 3) Messy Goal Example: Building a Strong Advisory Board

Original Goal: Meet 1 person to help join the board — for a new event, business or nonprofit you’re starting.

Exponential Mindset Approach:

1. Ask Why: Why do you want to meet this person?
   • Answer: To build a strong advisory board that supports the growth and success of the event/organization.
2. Shift the Focus: The messy goal is not just about meeting one person; it’s about creating a solid foundation and strategic plan for your event/nonprofit by building a capable and passionate advisory board.
3. Messy Goal: In the next 12 months, build the board and build a business plan.
4. Milestone: Meet one person who could be a potential board member, draft the mission and vision.
5. KPIs:
   • Make two new introductions each week to expand your network and identify potential board members.
   • Develop one section of the business plan monthly

By focusing on the broader outcome—building a strong advisory board and a strategic plan—the goal becomes more exciting and challenging it’s builds momentum to a greater impact.

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