RE: TARGET SETTING

["John Constantine" <john.constantine@cox.net>]

Greetings all:

Dirk offers a practical example of target setting. I'm wondering if this is
not an example of precisely why one should not be target setting in the
first place. Is it possible that this was not a constraint beyond the
ability to achieve? 

Is it possible that achieving this "goal" might mean added stress to the
household, possibly endanger others, cause the loss of the very things most
desired, perhaps result in an unintended car crash, etc. etc., etc.?

Was the target the result of something else, and perhaps not what he might
otherwise choose to do, not as a goal, but rather as a comfortable chore?

As to the "wrong or right" of it; who gets to make that call? Optimal for
whom? Perfectly fine to make one's own decisions if you don't mind the
consequences. I don't see any harm in making personal decisions involving
one's person. As for goal setting for others, I'm not so sure. As a father
one treads on dangerous ground telling others they must be back by x
o'clock, or that they must not spend more than x$ on eggs. Pure math is one
thing, reality another.

My advice to Dirk: make sure all the utilities are functioning on Sundays so
the employee can turn off the gas and you don't blow your house up.
Otherwise, wait until the 13th and be safe.

John Constantine
john.constantine@cox.net
Cave Creek, AZ