#02 When SMART Goals Become Dumb, Acting on Values, And The Hidden Costs of Chasing Outcomes

In this episode, Ramon and Divya dive into the limitations of traditional goal-setting frameworks, particularly SMART goals, and explore why they may be more helpful for short-term actions than for big-picture, high-level aspirations. They unpack how applying rigid frameworks to complex goals (like health, relationships, or business success) can actually backfire, leading to frustration, self-judgment, or even value conflicts.

They explore:

• Why SMART goals work best for specific actions, not emotional or abstract goals.
• The importance of distinguishing between values and goals—and why mixing them up causes confusion.
• How attachment to outcomes (e.g., “$20K per month” or “7kg in 12 weeks”) can lead to emotional burnout or poor decisions.
• A simple but powerful reframe: shift from "goal setting" to "value-driven actions".
• The impact of language: how using the client’s own words (e.g., aspirations, dreams, ideals) can unlock clarity.
• A helpful mental model: What’s helpful vs. unhelpful about your current way of thinking? They also touch on identity, emotion regulation, and how coaching conversations help uncover the real “why” behind goals.

Whether you're a coach, leader, manager, or just someone trying to figure out what you want, this episode is full of insights and real-life examples.

BrainFirst Institute: https://www.brainfirstinstitute.com

Connect with Ramon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepeakexecutive

Connect with Divya on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachdivya