Call me crazy, but I have mostly opted out of the goal setting game. I played that game for years and always found the quest for clear goals cumbersome at best and restricting at worst.

What do I do instead now? I focus on cultivating good values and behaviors.

I find that this focuses me more on the things within my control. Not only is that more motivating, it also gives me a useful filter for all the opportunities that present themselves along the way.

How do you operate? Has goal setting helped or hindered you in the past?