NICE Goal Framework

The NICE goal framework has four components:

Near-term

Near-term goals focus on the immediate steps you can take today to achive your goals. These goals are more about the progress than the destination. However, by focusing consistently on the present – what I’m doing today — you will amazed and shocked you how much you’ve accomplished in six months, in a year, or in two years.

Input-based

Input-based goals emphasize the process, rather than some distant goal or abstract end-goal. Instead of stating that you want to write 1,500 posts this year, you state your goal to post five posts daily.

Controllable

When you define your NICE goal, the goal must be within your ability to perform the goal-related task. Do you have the skills, knowledge, and experience to perform the task? Do you have the time to perform the task? Do you have the resources to perform the task?

Every goal-related task should move you closer to your destination which most likely will require you to push a little beyond your current abilities and comfort levels. However, if you push too hard or too far, you most likely will end up failing and losing your efficacy to reach your goal. This is where you need to understand yourself.

Energizing

You should be intrinsically motivated to perform your goal-related task. If you are doing something others want you to do or your internal interjects push you to do (shouldas wouldas) then you’ll most likely will fail. Think of something that you do for personal fun without any external pressure – go to the movies, read a book, watch a TV program, or play golf – that’s being intrinsically motivated. It’s like being a kid all over again.