Big Goals summary

The story of Goal Setting Theory, or GST, begins with the psychologist Edwin Locke and Gary Latham, whose groundbreaking research transformed our understanding of motivation. Locke, entering the field during psychology’s behaviorist era, argued that mindset matters just as much as actions. His studies revealed that challenging, clear goals yield better outcomes than vague or easy ones, with feedback serving as a critical tool for improvement. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Latham applied these principles in practical settings, further proving that ambitious, well-defined goals were the key to high performance and pride in one’s work. Together, they built a framework based on specificity, challenge, commitment, and feedback – principles that drive success across diverse fields.

So let’s get into the details of the BRIDGE method by looking at the first two sections, Brainstorming and Relationships. Brainstorming, in this context, is about asking yourself a bunch of important questions and using the answers to building a framework for success. 

Much like how organizations define their purpose, you can add focus to your efforts by grounding your aspirations in something meaningful. So ask yourself, “What is my purpose?’

The I in the BRIDGE method stands for Investments. In this case, that means understanding that achieving big goals requires smart and deliberate investments of time, energy, and resources.

Let’s look at a couple good examples. The British golfer Matt Fitzpatrick stands at five-foot-nine and lacks the natural physical attributes of many elite golfers. Knowing this, Fitzpatrick developed a personalized strategy to compete at the highest level. He adopted a data-driven approach, tracking every shot he made in practice and tournaments, analyzing variables like weather and course conditions. Supported by a team of experts – including coaches, a nutritionist, and a mental strategist – he used this meticulous system to improve incrementally. By age 29, Fitzpatrick was ranked sixth in the world. Deliberate practice and tailored investments pay off.

We’ve now arrived at the final two steps in the BRIDGE method: Grit and Excellence.

You may have heard a lot about grit over the past few years. In her popular book of the same name, author Angela Duckworth describes grit as the ability to push forward through challenges without needing immediate rewards. In that sense, grit is more than resilience – it’s the combination of passion and perseverance that drives people to stick with meaningful, long-term goals.