Conventional wisdom screams "Set goals!" For most people, that is the theater of disaster. What happens when you work hard and miss your goals? Or worse, what happens when you meet those goals but have the nagging feeling that you could have achieved more? It's demoralizing, and a demoralized person can't be creative.

In a conversation with Keith Ferrazzi, author Christine Comaford offers a different perspective: focus on moving the needle.

"Needle movers are actions that will truly move the needle forward in your business or personal life – essentially goals that change your life fundamentally. While a goal is binary and can leave you feeling great or defeated, a needle mover ends with you either reaching your target (what you want), the minimum (what you are willing to accept), or a mind blowing result (beyond your wildest dreams!). You won't always get the exact result you want but you will have moved the needle forward."

Share your needle movers with me on Facebook.