The Working Out Loud Goal Clinic (Part 1 of 2)
In the original WOL method, you choose a goal in Week 1 and, step by step over 12 weeks, you build relationships and make progress towards that goal. By the end, you’ve practiced a set of skills you can apply to any goal.
For some, though, choosing a goal isn’t easy. So I’ve started to run a “goal clinic” to help.
Here’s how it works.
The Goal Clinic
We already list examples of goals in the Circle Workbook and in our program kickoff events. What we want to help people do is envision how a Circle can bring their goal to life. How it can help them make progress as they build relationships and skills.
In a one-hour meeting (typically by video), I’ll do three things:
Share a current goal of mine
Show how a Circle would help me each week
Coach participants on their own goals
An example: My current goal
A few months ago, I read Of Men and Boys by Richard Reeves, which describes the high rates of suicide and substance abuse for men, along with the decline in college enrollment and participation in social activities, among other issues.
Since then, I’ve had the idea to create a new not-for-profit program specifically for men. It’s just a rough idea. I imagine something WOL-like but, instead of men working on their networks and visibility, they’ll work in small groups on what it means for each of them individually “to be a good man.” In doing so, they’ll also build relationships and practical skills along the way.
So, my goal is simply: “Create a new program for men.” (Note that this could easily be any project you need to get done or idea you want to explore.)
Using a WOL Circle to make progress—while learning new skills
In Week 1 of the Circle Workbook, there are instructions for choosing a goal, including asking questions like “Do I care about it?” and “Can I make progress in twelve weeks?” My answers to those questions for my goal are all “yes”.
The challenge for me is typically finding the time to work on it and doing so in a methodical way. That’s where my Circle helps me. It gives me structure, shared accountability, and support to actually do the work I tell myself I want to do but somehow manage to avoid.
Here’s how my Circle helps me in the first six weeks.
Week 1: Attune your attention
I’m forced to articulate my goal, as imperfect as it is, and share it with a group. It’s uncomfortable! But it gets me thinking.
I create a list of people related to my goal. Simply sitting down and searching for men’s programs yields a wide range of people and programs. I come up with seven names.
Week 2: Offer your first contributions
I start paying attention to people and programs on my list, reading content and hitting the occasional like button.
In doing this, I discover more people and programs. I’m learning about the variety of initiatives out there and more books and articles to read. My relationship list grows.
Week 3: Take three small steps
I realize I’m not spending much time on my goal. So I “pay myself first” by blocking out time to do more research and thinking and writing.
I add a few more reactions and comments to content shared by people on my list.
I send emails about my idea to people I know well who might be interested. As a result, I schedule a few calls.
Week 4: Earn someone’s attention
I “share a useful resource” on LinkedIn. It’s just a photo of two books I’ve read as part of my research on men’s topics, and a few statements about the program I’m working on.
The post attracts a dozen or so reactions the first day. (Not exactly viral!) But it leads to me to discovering new people and programs.
I “earn someone’s attention” by sending a personal message to some of the people I don’t know who commented on my post, and I schedule phone calls with several of them.
Week 5: Make it personal
The phone calls are more than “just business.” We exchange our reasons for being interested in men’s topics, often including our personal stories. It’s amazing to do this with strangers in different parts of the world!
This week reminds me to “make it personal” and check in with people I know well to see how they’re doing and not (just) talk about the program and my ideas. I’m reminded to build relationships, not conduct transactions.
Week 6: Improve your visibility
I review my online presence and notice my interest in men’s topics is, essentially, invisible. How can anyone know that I care about it?
I update my profile with this: “One of my newest projects is a non-profit program for men, designed to help "anyone who aspires to be a good man" build relationships and skills that help them thrive.” It’s not much, but it’s a visible signal to others.
I commit to writing more about the topic, including using the men’s program as an example in goal clinics. Doing so has already led to new connections and ideas.
Some of my calls and exchanges lead to collaboration opportunities and referrals to other people. I start meeting regularly with a working group.
What happens next…
None of the above is magic. There were no “aha!” moments. But I make more progress in six weeks in a Circle than in six months or longer. The structure, shared accountability, and support helps me take action. My networking and sharing (in person, via email, and via social media) doesn’t feel like empty personal branding. It feels authentic and purposeful, and I find the work and the interactions rewarding and fulfilling.
In Part 2 of this post, I’ll describe what happens in Weeks 7 through 12, as well as what happens after a Circle.
If you found this “goal clinic” useful, or if you have a question about your own goal in a WOL Circle, please feel free to contact me via LinkedIn or at john.stepper@workingoutloud.com.