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How Working Backwards Can Help Achieve Your Goals

Trying working backwards as a different and effective way to get things done in life

By Syed BalkhiPublished 2 years ago 5 min read
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How Working Backwards Can Help Achieve Your Goals
Photo by Monty Allen on Unsplash

There's a reason why the old saying "start with the end in mind" is so popular. When you have a specific goal in mind, it's a lot easier to figure out the steps you need to take to get there.

But what if you don't know where to start? Or what if you're not sure how to accomplish your goal? This is where working backwards comes in. In this post, we'll look at the different ways working backwards will help you.

Meet your goals effectively

You may have many goals in life but with no real idea how to accomplish them. In this case, working backwards will help you.

For example, let's say you want to buy a new car. You might start by figuring out how much money you have available to spend on a car. Then you might research different cars that fit within your budget. After that, you might go test drive some of the cars you're interested in. And finally, you would purchase the car that's best for you.

Working backwards can help you achieve your goals in a number of different ways. First, it can help you clarify your goals and make them more manageable.

Second, it can help you figure out the steps you need to take to achieve your goals.

And third, it can help you stay on track and avoid distractions.

When it comes to goal setting, working backwards can be a valuable tool. By taking the time to plan out your steps, you'll be more likely to get where you want in your life and career. So don't be afraid to start at the end and work your way back.

Focus on the right ideas

When we start with our ideas and then work towards them, we can make the mistake of putting our energy into something that we love but isn't feasible.

Let's say you have a business idea or a passion that you want to turn into a business and you decide to pursue it. Many people do this. They put money, time, and energy into building their businesses. And any research and planning they do are made on the assumption that their business idea is practical.

Unfortunately, many such businesses fail simply because people don't approach their goals with a practical mindset and don't validate them.

When you work backward, you can work on your ideas and outline all the moving parts and processes that will be necessary for it to succeed. You can also research and plan more realistically. You'll realize whether your plan does have the ability to see positive results. And you'll avoid putting your resources into ideas that won't work.

Did you know that Amazon innovates, it starts by creating a press release first. That's right! They create a press release that features the final outcome - a new product or service. And when they have clarity on what they want the final result to look like, they work backward and figure out how they will achieve it.

So if you have an idea, start with the end in mind by validating it through research so that you can better focus on making it a reality.

Stay motivated

Working backwards can also help you stay motivated. It can give you a sense of progress and keep you on track.

For example, let's say you want to lose weight. You might start by figuring out how many pounds you want to lose each week. Then you would create a plan of action with specific goals and tasks to help you reach your target weight.

This type of goal setting will help you remain motivated because you'll be able to see the progress you're making. You'll also be more likely to reach your goal because you have a specific plan to follow.

Working backwards can be an effective way to keep your motivation going and achieve your goals.

Make your deadlines more achievable

Deadlines are a necessary part of goal setting, but they can be a source of stress if they seem impossible to meet. When you work backwards, you can create more achievable deadlines by dividing them into smaller goals.

For example, if you have to write a paper for class, you might be tempted to stay up all night on the last day to get it done. But this isn't realistic and it's more likely that you'll end up with a low-quality paper.

A better approach would be to break the task down into smaller goals. You might start by visualizing an A+ on your paper. Then imagine what a teacher might like in your paper that has them giving you a high grade. You'll realize that your teacher wants you to be authentic. And to show thorough research in your paper. And you should make your paper organized and showcase your logical thinking.

When you start figuring out these things, you'll develop a blueprint for an A+ paper. You'll know how much time you need to put in, what kind of material to read, how to outline your paper and more.

In the process, you'll figure out milestones and deadlines for completing different sections of your paper. This makes your deadline more achievable because you're not trying to do everything in one night. You can also use this technique for other types of deadlines.

So, the next time you think you've got a great idea, start by working backwards and transforming your work from good to great.

Conclusion

Working backwards can help you achieve your goals in a more practical and achievable way. It can also help you stay motivated and on track. When used correctly, it can be an effective tool for completing tasks with high-quality results. So, next time you have an idea, start by working backwards!

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About the Creator

Syed Balkhi

Syed Balkhi is the founder of WPBeginner, the largest free WordPress resource site. You can learn more about Syed and his portfolio of companies by following him on his social media networks.

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