Build in Public

The scariest part of setting goals is not reaching them. But there are levels to this fear. If you keep your goals private, there is only a fear you will fail yourself. No one else will know of your failures because you never shared with anyone your aspirations. This turns into a crutch because you are not letting anyone down except for yourself when you fail. The other level is failing a goal that is made public. When you announce an idea, vision, plan, or goal to the world, you have the world’s expectations placed on your shoulders. Announcing your goals and then building in public gives you a level of accountability not quite possible when you are building in silence.

Your personal goals should be set for yourself. This is a statement I firmly believe. You live your own life, no one else lives your life for you. But, letting others know your plans helps add pressure to your personal quest of succeeding. If you tell yourself you are going to run a marathon but never tell anyone else, no one will know, or care, if you consistently skip workouts leading to your race. If you tell your friends, parents, and those around you, they will either expect you to succeed or doubt you. But they will have a level of expectation for you. On a personal note, you will want to either prove them wrong or prove them right, because you care what they think about you. Making your goals public is a source of natural accountability.

President John F. Kennedy told the nation in 1962 that the United States would land a man on the moon before the end of the decade. In the midst of the Cold War, this put an incredible amount of pressure on the scientists and engineers working to win the Space Race. By the end of the decade, President Kennedy’s words became true. Building in public made this goal real. It made this goal tangible. Years of pressure and building with the weight of his words on their shoulders made this outcome possible.

Do not be afraid to announce your goals and aspirations to those around you. You can do it in your social circles or online on social media platforms. Whichever avenue you decide will give you added accountability to continue performing and pushing to achieve. Personal commitment and determination are finite sources of energy for your goals. Building in public adds fuel to this supply.