How Micro-Goals Helped Me Conquer a Hill (And Can Help You Too)

By Ron Pereira Published on September 3rd, 2024

I went for a 2-mile run with my 13-year-old son yesterday. I do quite a bit of cardio work several times a week, but I rarely run, so I was curious about how I’d do.

I’m happy to report it went quite well. Both of us made it through with little struggle. That said, towards the end of the run, there was a pretty massive hill we had to climb. I was starting to get a bit winded, and when I saw the hill, I thought walking up it might become necessary.

But as we approached it, I quickly thought “scientifically” and stopped looking at the hill. Instead, I looked a foot or so in front of me and no further. Of course, I did keep my peripheral vision working so we didn’t get run over by cars, but the majority of my attention was right in front of me.

I basically set micro-goals that could be accomplished with a couple of strides. The hill was still there, but honestly, I didn’t “see” it. After 30 seconds or so, I realized we had made it to the top, and it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

It was a beautiful reminder of how powerful setting short micro-goals—or what we Toyota Kata practitioners often call target conditions—can be for overcoming difficult tasks or situations.

So the next time you’re faced with a difficult challenge that feels like it could quickly overwhelm you, stop looking at the “hill.” Instead, stay focused on what can be accomplished in a short amount of time. Rinse and repeat, and before you know it, you will reach the top!

Ron Pereira

Ron has more than 20 years of experience in various manufacturing, supply chain, and senior leadership roles. Ron has held the titles of process engineer, engineering manager, master black belt, and director of manufacturing & continuous improvement. In 2002 Ron was the first American to win the Nokia Global Six Sigma and Overall Quality award in Helsinki, Finland. Ron holds a bachelor's degree in automated manufacturing and an MBA in technology management.

Kelsey Khalfayan
January 28, 2025 - 3:16 pm
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As a supply chain management major, I like how your idea of “micro-goals” is similar to Lean and Six Sigma. Small, steady improvements lead to big changes over time. Breaking down big tasks into smaller steps helps us stay motivated and keep improving. I am interested to learn more about the Toyota Kata method!