The Google goal setting process happens in a 90 day cycle. One time each quarter every department at Google sets goals, called OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), for the next 90 days. My past experience in business and ministry organizations have taught me to set yearly or annual goals, but what I have learned from Google’s strategy of goal setting is annual goals aren’t good enough. Every quarter we need to lay out new objectives and key results and, like Google, set them at impossible levels, and then figure out how to achieve them. Google’s philosophy of OKRs is to make unrealistic goals and do whatever it takes to achieve them because you can’t achieve amazing results by setting modest targets.
The challenge to Google is to create an environment where failure IS an option. Most organizations have a culture of “failure is not an option” and, when taken the wrong way, that actually conditions people to set modest achievable goals that they are certain they can achieve because if they fail…they are disciplined or even fired. Taking great risks, pushing innovation, and striving to achieve the impossible will never happen in organizations like that. Achieving 65% of the impossible is better than 100% of the ordinary. Setting impossible goals and achieving part of them can set you on a fast track and when measured every quarter it allows for mid course corrections and setting higher goals for the next quarter.
One thing I have learned in my pursuit of following Christ is that the philosophy of goal setting Google lives by is actually biblical when understood through a kingdom filter. Jesus tells us in Luke 18:27, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” I believe, a Christians, God wants us to plan for and anticipate the impossible because of HIS power and might but not our own. When we build margin and expectation of God’s blessing into our goals, it creates a mindset and a culture of anticipation that God can and will do something big. One of the ministry organizations I served on staff with had an “unofficial philosophy” of overpromise and try to deliver. It is a similar philosophy in a way and has carried that ministry to heights few have seen. When done with the right (servant and humble) heart, it is acknowledging that God has bigger dreams and ideas for us than we have on our own and we should not limit him by what we cannot see. Build in margin and leave a space for Him to fill. Set bigger goals than you know you can reach. Make OKRs unrealistic and impossible to man and in doing so allow a place for God to show up and make them possible.
God, help me to avoid limiting your blessing in my life by fearing failure or simply the unknown. I desire to build margin in my life and in my goals to position myself for your blessing. I acknowledge that only through your power can I seek the impossible, but I thank you that you desire us to have it.
