Reverse Engineering: Tackle Goals with Whole-Self Wellness

Summary

If you have goals but you're not sure how to begin, we're here to help. Whole-Self Wellness loves the concept of reverse engineering. Reverse engineering is taught in more detail in our online programs, but here's a simple breakdown to get you started, plus one example.

What Is Reverse Engineering?

Author and educator Steven Covey said, "Begin with the end in mind."

When you reverse engineer a goal, you begin by envisioning your ideal outcome, and then identify actionable steps that will take you there.

This process is quantified by breaking down goals and steps into time-bound milestones. The most common timeframes might be 10 years, 5 years,1 year, 6 months, 90 days, 30 days, and 1 week, depending on the specifics of your goal.

Whole-Self Wellness views your mind, body, spirit, and relationships as interconnected pieces of your overall health. As you work with a life coach, your coach will encourage you to tailor a goal to one or each of these categories.

Before we give an example, let's break down the components of a good goal.

Setting a Good Goal

In 1981, George T. Doran introduced the world to SMART goals. You may have heard the acronym SMART before. The meaning of each letter varies depending on the context or organization using it, but it's generally understood as the following:

S --- Specific. Your intentions are clear.

M --- Measurable. Your goal can be tracked with numbers or other concrete variables.

A --- Attainable. Your goal stretches your comfort zone without being impossible.

R --- Relevant. Your goal aligns with your values and will advance your aspirations.

T --- Time-bound. There is a clear timeframe for your goal or, if relevant, a deadline.

We caution against treating SMART goals as a chore checklist. The purpose of this exercise is to write a goal that's compelling and clear while staying within a reasonable timeframe. Your timeline is an especially important factor because it will help you integrate reverse-engineering practices.

Example of Reverse-Engineering a SMART Goal

Example Scenario: You have a decent job, but want to improve your quality of life and increase your independence. You set a goal to buy your first car next year. You heard December is a good time of year to buy a car, so you set a deadline for December 2026.

This is a SMART goal for the following reasons:

S --- Specific. Your objective is concrete.

M --- Measurable. Buying a car requires saving money for a down payment or full cash purchase, which is easy to track with some basic budgeting.

A --- Attainable. After reviewing your finances, you've determined that you can afford a car with your current income, and the investment will be worthwhile due to the increased freedom of movement it will afford you. No more late buses to contend with.

R --- Relevant. Your goal aligns with your aspiration to improve your quality of life and independence.

T --- Time-bound. You have a clear deadline in mind.

Now, let's reverse-engineer.

This goal doesn't slot perfectly into the physical health, mental health, relationship health, or spiritual categories, but it will impact all four depending on how the car is used. For example, your mental health may improve with a shorter commute.

Let's break it down into timeframes. Say the purchase is 14 months out from when you set the goal. You decide to save $600/month from your paychecks for the down payment in a designated savings account.

10 years --- Start with the end in mind. You did it! Congratulations! Your car loan is paid off, and has been for a few years now. You're debating trading it in for something better, but you have an emotional attachment. Visualize what it might feel like to drive around in a car that you love.

5 years --- Imagine hopping into your car, and it's a familiar friend, ready to roll. You don't have much left on the loan, but you've settled into the rhythm of paying it, and you're so grateful to have a vehicle that's truly yours.

1 year --- After saving and researching extensively, you're about to make the purchase. It's an exciting and perhaps scary moment, but you've prepared well by saving money for the down payment ($7,200 at the 12-month mark).

6 months --- You have a good sense for the make, model, and year of the car you want. You've saved up $4,200 so far.

90 days --- Your savings seem small, only about $1,800, but you're trusting the process.

30 days --- You just got paid, so it's time to open a new savings account and put $600 in it.

1 Week --- You begin researching what make and model of car you want, whether to buy new or used, and cost variations.

This is somewhat simplified as it doesn't account for factors such as interest, your credit score, repair costs, maintenance, etc. However, you see how to "begin with the end in mind" by envisioning what life will be like with a fully paid-off car and working backwards.

Keeping the end in sight will keep you motivated when there doesn't seem to be much movement (for example, at the 90-day mark) and make individual steps become clearer.

What's Your Goal?

We'd love to help you reverse-engineer your goals. Sign up for a clarity call today to speak with a certified life coach. It's free!

You've got this!