{"id":5363,"date":"2024-10-22T05:44:11","date_gmt":"2024-10-22T05:44:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emiralmedia.ro\/site\/claudiu\/objectives-ambition-and-realism\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T08:08:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T08:08:27","slug":"objectives-ambition-and-realism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/claudiusimion.ro\/en\/objectives-ambition-and-realism\/","title":{"rendered":"Objectives – Ambition and Realism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I was writing an article a few months ago about goals and whether you have one. I made that metaphor with a passage from the book Alice in Wonderland<\/em>, when at a crossroads and not knowing which way is best to go (see the article Do you have a clear goal?<\/a><\/em>). <\/p>\n\n

The logical conclusion, to which I subscribe, is that you need a goal, a clear, measurable objective, to know if you are on the right track and where you are on your journey. <\/p>\n\n

This applies both professionally and personally.<\/p>\n\n

But I have a few questions: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

How do you choose that goal? <\/strong>Do you choose a very ambitious goal that you hope to achieve, at the risk that if you don’t achieve it, you may become demoralized or even depressed? Or do you choose a more conservative one with a high likelihood of achievement that represents only an incremental, marginal improvement, but gives you a chance to celebrate success? <\/p>\n\n

The most popular methodology for setting objectives is the SMART<\/strong> technique, which suggests that they should be: Specific<\/strong>, Measurable<\/strong>, Accessible<\/strong>(achievable), Relevant<\/strong>and Time-bound<\/strong>. One of the key points of this methodology is that the objective must be ‘Attainable’ – that is, realistic and achievable, given the resources available and the current context. <\/p>\n\n

Who decides what is realistic and what is not?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

An important point emphasized by neuroscientists is that the most powerful limitations are often self-imposed<\/strong>. Our brains sometimes build mental ‘walls’ that can prevent us from seeing our true potential. This means that when determining what is achievable, we should ask ourselves whether we are looking behind these walls or beyond them.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n

Honestly, I don’t think there is a universal answer, but it is rather correlated with personality typology. For example, an interesting correlation is with the DISC<\/strong>(Dominance, Influence, Stability, Conscientiousness<\/em>) typology. <\/p>\n\n

Depending on the DISC profile, people may have different preferences and tendencies in terms of ambition and pragmatism when setting personal or professional goals.<\/p>\n\n

Dominance (D): Bold targets and quick decisions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Type “D”<\/strong> people are action-oriented and results-driven. These individuals prefer challenges and are willing to take big risks to achieve significant results. <\/p>\n\n