Chunking down method of goal-setting

‘Chunking down’ is a goal-setting method where you break a big, maybe even overwhelming goal, into smaller, concrete, manageable pieces. Keep ’chunking’ until each step feels simple and actionable. This method also helps clarify immediate next steps, helping you get started quickly. 

1. Define your goal

Start with your overarching goal. For example:

”I want to be confident when speaking publicly, particularly when giving presentations.”

2. Outcome: What does good look like?

How will you know when you’ve achieved your outcome? Try to be as specific as possible here. For example:

• • I won’t get stressed preparing for a presentation.

  • I won’t get anxious speaking in the presentation (e.g. forget my words or get flustered).

  • I will get good feedback on how well I presented.

3. Chunk down to milestones

Start to break it down into smaller chunks by drilling down into the detail. Start with:

• What needs to happen to achieve that?

• What has to happen first? 

• What sequence does everything else take?

• What do I need to do to make each thing happen?

• What obstacles could get in the way?

Your first round of questions will give you your key milestones.

4. Chunk down to tasks

Break each milestone chunk into smaller parts. For example, to secure a promotion you might choose ‘Manage anxiery around speaking’: 

• Learn breathing exercises to control physical stress reaction.

• Practice positive affirmations before speaking.

• Visualise successfully speaking publicly.

Whenever you feel you don’t have enough info to complete the task, break it down until you do.

5. Chunk down to micro-tasks

Take each task and break it down again until you get actions you can complete in 60 minutes or less. You can then pick off these ‘micro-tasks’ straightaway.

Knowing when you've chunked enough

You know exactly what you need to do next and you don’t have to think about the approach to get started. 

Common mistakes

• • Stopping before you’ve broken the goal(s) down enough. Keep asking yourself, ‘how do I get this done? ‘ until you have individual tasks. Then don’t stop chunking until you have a plan for each task. 

  • Trying to chunk everything at once and not chunking down layer by layer.

Example: Become confident in public speaking

• • Goal: Become confident in public speaking.

  • Outcome: Remain calm while prepping, when speaking publicly and get good audience feedback.

  • Milestone 1: Manage anxiety around speaking.

    • • Task 1: Learn breathing exercises.

        • • Micro-task: Search the Internet for breathing exercises.

          • Micro-task: schedule time to try-out and review.

      • Task 2: Source and then practice positive affirmations before speaking. 

        • • Micro-task: Search the Internet for positive affirmations that resonate

          • Micro-task: Trial both speaking them and having them visible before public speaking

      • Task 3: Visualise successfully speaking publicly.

        • • Micro-task: Write down visualisation in terms of how I feel, what has changed, what I can do and what people say about me.

  • Milestone 2: Improve communication skills.

    • • Task 1: Practice voice modulation and pausing.

        • • Micro-task: Research what good public speaking should sound like and create a list of criteria to develop against.

          • Micro-task: Research practice exercises in voice modulation and pausing.

          • Micro-task: Schedule time to practice.

      • Task 2: Record self presenting and review.

        • • Micro-task: Chose a topic and schedule time for the recording.

          • Micro-task: Review recording against your criteria for good public speaking and suggest improvements.

      • Task 3: Source a mentor to give feedback.

        • • Micro-task: Make a list of people who you think could give you useful feedback on how to improve your public speaking and prioritise.

          • Micro-task: Work out what sort of mentor guidance you would like to have (for example feedback on your recording), what good would look like for you in this mentor relationship, and how long you think it could last. 

          • Micro-task: Approach mentors in order of priority and schedule time with them to talk.  

  • Milestone 3: Remain calm while presenting publicly.

    • • Task 1: Start with small, informal presentation opportunities (e.g. presenting to friends).

        • • Micro-task: Search the Internet for positive affirmations that resonate

          • Micro-task: Trial both speaking them and having them visible before public speaking

      • Task 2: Volunteer to give a presentation at a group.

        • • Micro-task: Create a shortlist of groups and topics you could present on.

          • Micro-task: Approach group members and suggest your idea.

          • Micro-task: Schedule a date for your presentation.

      • Task 3: Join public speaking clubs like Toastmasters.

        • • Micro-task: Search the Internet for local public speaking clubs and membership requirements.

          • Micro-task: Pick a topic to speak on and prepare talking points.

          • Micro-task: Book in to both observe others speaking and to present.

Got questions or struggling to put this into practice?

Changing the way we behave is hard and sometimes complex. It isn’t just about learning new skills. Sometimes there are things we need to unlearn first. Building new mental and behavioural muscles takes time, just like it does when building a physical muscle. This is always easier with expert support. If you have questions or would like to talk about expert support, do get in touch: hello@redkitepd.com.