Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAG) Simple Guide To Setting And Achieving BHAG Goals

Goal setting is scary and seriously it is always a headache to set goals. However goal setting is the fundamental aspect of personal and professional growth.

Thus, if you are looking to become audaciously successful, you’ll need to set goals that go beyond the ordinary. Enter the world of BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goals).

Let’s take a look at how it is done!

KEY TAKEAWAY

BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) are clear and compelling long-term targets that inspire action and drive remarkable achievements in personal and professional growth.
Effective BHAG Goals possess characteristics such as forward momentum, excitement and inspiration, commitment and focus, and a reasonable chance of success.

BHAG Goals can be categorized into Role Model BHAGs, Common Enemy BHAGs, Target-Oriented BHAGs, and Internal Transformation BHAGs.

What is BHAG Goals?

BHAG is the acronym for “Big Hairy Audacious Goals”. These are goals that are clear and compelling long-term targets that capture our imagination and motivate us to take bold action.

The term was coined by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras in their influential book “Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies“.

What makes the BHAG Goals unique is that it have the power to energize individuals and organizations, inspiring them to reach for extraordinary achievements.

Characteristics of Effective BHAG Goals

Like all forms of goals, BHAG have it’s own unique characteristics that makes it especially effective for big corporation and goal setter with a strong audacious drive wanting to succeed.

Forward Momentum: BHAG Goals stimulate progress and create momentum, propelling individuals and teams towards their desired outcomes.

Excitement and Inspiration: BHAG Goals excite and energize, tapping into our intrinsic motivation and sparking creativity.
Commitment and Focus: BHAG Goals harness our creative talents and human energies, fostering deep commitment and unwavering focus.
Reasonable Chance of Success: While BHAG Goals are ambitious, they should also have a reasonable chance of being achieved to maintain motivation and confidence.

BHAG goals have these special characteristics making it an interesting goal setting technique used by many achievers with big goals and dreams.

How to Write BHAG Goals?

Writing BHAG Goals requires you to observe a few steps, and since your goal is “Big and Hairy”, the goal itself should be huge and scary, making you feel that the goal itself is just “Audacious”. However, setting a goal that is impossible to reach is not the objective of the BHAG Goals.

Your goal still needs to be reasonable enough to be both inspiring and attainable. And to do that, here are the steps:

1. Define a Clear and Specific Long-Term Objective

To create a BHAG Goal, start by envisioning a clear and specific long-term objective that aligns with your aspirations and values.

Your goal should be something that resonates deeply with you and excites your passion. It should be something that can lead to personal and professional growth.

2. Ensure Alignment with Core Values and Mission Statement

A BHAG Goal should align with your core values and mission statement.

In a nutshell, it should reflect what you believe in and the purpose that drives you. This alignment will create a sense of purpose and authenticity, fueling your motivation to pursue the goal.

The book, “Start Small, Dream Big” by Antony C. mentioned the concept of P.V.P. when setting your big dreams, similarly your BHAG need to match your values, otherwise you will fail.

3. Make the Goal Challenging yet Attainable

BHAG Goals should be challenging enough to stretch your capabilities but still achievable.

Balance your big hairy goal with, your ability to achieve it. The goal should be huge and scary, but not impossible, strike a balance to ensure that the goal inspires you to reach new heights.

4. Create an Action-Oriented and Inspiring Statement

Craft a BHAG Goal statement that is action-oriented and inspiring.

“TED: Spread ideas, foster community and create impact.”

“IKEA: To offer a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them”
“Tesla: Accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy.”

Use powerful and evocative language to describe the future you aim to create. Let it ignite your imagination and enthusiasm, inspiring others to rally behind your vision.

5. Involve and Engage the Team in Setting the BHAG

If you are setting BHAG Goals for a team or organization, involve and engage team members in the goal-setting process.

This fosters ownership, commitment, and collaboration, as everyone contributes their insights and perspectives to shape a shared BHAG.

Types of BHAG Goals

BHAG Goals can take various forms. Let’s explore the four broad categories of BHAG Goals and their applications in career development.

1. Role Model BHAG

A Role Model BHAG seeks to emulate the success of a well-known company or organization.

By aiming to replicate the achievements of industry leaders or highly respected entities, you set a benchmark for excellence and create a clear path for your career growth. Examples of Role Model BHAG Goals include:

GIRO, “Become the Nike of the cycling industry”

Watkins Johnson, “Become as respected in 20 years as Hewlett-Packard is today”

2. Common Enemy BHAG

A Common Enemy BHAG focuses on overtaking the competition and establishing your dominance in the industry.

Similar to the “David vs. Goliath” mentality, this BHAG goal motivate your team to work together to overcome challenges and achieve greatness. Examples of Common Enemy BHAG Goals include:

Nike, “Crush Adidas”
Honda, “Yamaha wo tsubusu!”, translate to “We will destroy Yamaha!”

3. Target-Oriented BHAG

Target-Oriented BHAGs involve setting quantitative or qualitative targets that challenge and excite your team.

A common type of goal, these goals you set should be measurable and possess the power to motivate everyone involved. Examples of Target-Oriented BHAG Goals include:

Walmart, “Become a $125 billion company by the year 2000”
Boeing, “Become the dominant player in commercial aircraft”

4. Internal Transformation BHAG

Internal Transformation BHAGs are geared towards revitalizing your organization or a specific division within a larger company.

Stimulates progress and pushes for positive change, these BHAG Goals focus on inspiring others to follow. Examples of Internal Transformation BHAG Goals include:

Rockwell Automation, “Transform this company from a defense contractor into the best diversified high-technology company in the world”

Merck, “Transform this company from a chemical manufacturer into one of the preeminent drug-making companies in the world”

BHAG Goals in Real Life (Examples)

Setting BHAG Goals is an effective way to propel your career, achieve financial success, and foster personal development. Let’s explore some examples of BHAG Goals in these three key areas:

Career BHAG Goals

Reach the C-Suite: Aspire to become a top executive in your organization, such as a CEO, CFO, or CTO. This BHAG Goal tells you to develop the necessary skills, expanding your network, and consistently delivering exceptional results to position yourself for senior leadership roles.

Launch a Successful Startup: Set a BHAG Goal to start your own business and make it thrive. This goal involves identifying a viable business idea, creating a robust business plan, securing funding, and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship to build a sustainable and profitable venture.
Become a Respected Industry Influencer: Aim to establish yourself as a thought leader and influential figure in your industry. This BHAG Goal involves sharing valuable insights through public speaking, publishing authoritative articles, and actively engaging in industry events and conferences.

Financial BHAG Goals

Achieve Financial Independence: Set a BHAG Goal to reach a level of financial independence that allows you to have control over your lifestyle and make choices based on personal fulfillment rather than financial constraints. This may involve building multiple streams of passive income, investing wisely, and adopting prudent financial management practices.

Attain a Specific Net Worth: Define a BHAG Goal to accumulate a certain amount of wealth within a specified timeframe. This could involve strategic investments, business ventures, and disciplined savings and budgeting to achieve your desired net worth.
Retire Early: Set a BHAG Goal to retire at a younger age, giving you the freedom to pursue personal passions and enjoy a fulfilling post-career life. This BHAG Goal requires diligent financial planning, disciplined saving, and intelligent investment strategies to accumulate enough wealth for an early retirement.

Personal Development BHAG Goals

Learn a New Language: Make it a BHAG Goal to become proficient in a new language. This goal entails committing to regular language learning activities, such as taking classes, practicing with native speakers, and immersing yourself in the language and culture.

Complete a Challenging Physical Achievement: Set a BHAG Goal to push your physical limits and accomplish a challenging feat, such as running a marathon, climbing a mountain, or participating in an Ironman triathlon. This goal involves rigorous training, discipline, and perseverance.
Write and Publish a Book: Aspire to become an author and share your knowledge, experiences, or stories with the world. This BHAG Goal requires dedicating time and effort to writing, editing, and navigating the publishing process.

What Does BHAG Mean to You?

BHAG Goals are meant to be audacious and inspiring. These are goals that should push you outside your comfort zone, yet remain attainable with strategic planning, consistent effort, and unwavering commitment.

By setting compelling, long-term targets that challenge and excite us, we can tap into our full potential and surpass our limitations.

Embrace the power of BHAG Goals, dare to dream big, and watch as your career reaches new heights of accomplishment and fulfillment. If you want reach your big goals, check out the book “Start Small, Dream Big” by Antony C., you can thank me later.

Questions?

What other goal setting technique do you use?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on BHAG Goals

What is a big hairy audacious goal (BHAG)?

A big hairy audacious goal, or BHAG, is a long-term goal that is clear, compelling, and ambitious. Sometimes it is also called as a “bee-hag”. It is a goal that goes beyond normal expectations and pushes an individual or company to achieve their full potential.

How can I set a BHAG?

To set a BHAG, you need to create your own clear and compelling long-term goal. Start by identifying something big that you want to achieve, something that pushes you beyond your comfort zone. Make sure your BHAG is aligned with your vision and mission, and create a clear finish line that defines success. Finally, communicate your BHAG to your team and work towards it with a sense of urgency and determination.

What is the importance of setting a BHAG?

Setting a BHAG is important because it gives you and your team a sense of purpose and direction. It helps you break free from the limitations of short-term thinking and pushes you to aim for long-term success. BHAGs also have the power to inspire and energize individuals and organizations, driving them to achieve more than they thought possible.

Why is it important to have a BHAG that aligns with your company’s strategy?

It is important to have a BHAG that aligns with your company’s strategy because it ensures that everyone in the organization is focused on a common goal. When your BHAG is in line with your strategy, it becomes a powerful tool for driving decision-making, resource allocation, and employee motivation. It helps create a clear roadmap for the future and ensures that all efforts are directed towards achieving the BHAG.

Is there a difference between a BHAG and a long-term goal?

Yes, there is a difference between a BHAG and a long-term goal. While both are focused on achieving something in the future, a BHAG is characterized by its audacity, clarity, and ability to inspire. A long-term goal, on the other hand, can be more generic and may not have the same level of impact or motivation.

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Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAG) Simple Guide to Setting and Achieving BHAG Goals