What Do Mastery Goals Have to Do with This?

Mastery goals are not about hitting a specific number or reaching a particular destination. Instead, they focus on the feeling and experience you want to create.

As someone driven by ambition, I’ve often focused on quantifiable achievements. While this mindset has brought me success, it has also led to significant disappointment and bruised egos. Performance goals, dictated by ego and fixated on metrics like dollar amounts or the number of stairs climbed, have often come at a high cost.

These types of goals have led to frustration, missed opportunities, and strained relationships. Let me share a story that illustrates this point.

When I was the Executive Director for NCCJ, a board chair—who was also one of my closest friends (yes, I am talking about you Jonathan!)—gave me a poor rating on communication. I was shocked and confused by this feedback. He explained, “Christine, you’re so focused on your goals that you forget to bring people along with you, and you miss new ways to achieve the same goal.”

He was right. My tunnel vision prevented me from being an effective leader and from engaging my board in the journey.

Why Did This Happen?

At the time, I felt the need to prove myself to my highly influential board members—bank presidents, former mayors, and other successful figures. Additionally, I was the youngest Executive Director in the organization’s history, which only amplified the pressure I placed on myself. My ego took control, and I often operated at level two energy—a state filled with conflict because I believed I had to do everything myself. Instead of letting things unfold naturally, I forced them, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders.

I was focused on Performance Goals and not Mastery Goals.

I was focused on everyone else’s success and not being the best Executive Director I could be. Because of that, I pushed people away when I needed them to achieve our mission.  

Conclusion

Shifting from performance goals to mastery goals has been a transformative experience for me. It’s allowed me to focus on the journey rather than just the destination, leading to greater fulfillment and more meaningful connections. As you set your own goals, I encourage you to consider not just what you want to achieve but also how you want to feel and who you want to bring along on your journey.

If you want to talk about your goals, let’s jump on a call. Just go to click here.