Think as big as you can! With a BHAG – basically an extremely ambitious goal – you motivate yourself and your team to achieve the unimaginable today. In the article, learn why particularly self-employed trainers and coaches benefit from this type of goal setting.

The Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG)

The abbreviation BHAG stands for Big Hairy Audacious Goal – a large, hairy, and bold goal. It stands in contrast to common goals, which should usually be set as SMART: A BHAG is not directly planable, not time-bound, and at first glance, not even realistic.

What a BHAG is: A motivation to overcome boundaries and think “big”. If you could achieve anything, what would be your long-term goal, your dream? – Phrase your BHAG so that you and outsiders perceive it as extremely bold and ambitious. Your Big Hairy Audacious Goal should, however, still be somewhat achievable – being able to fly with a wave of your hand would be more fantasy than an attainable goal.

What is your Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG)?

Examples of Famous BHAGs

You can see that BHAGs can also vary in specificity. Facebook's “connect the world” could be achieved in countless different ways. This Big Hairy Audacious Goal could easily belong to a telecommunications provider or airport operator.

The examples show that a BHAG can also become reality. However, at the time of founding, most would probably have just smiled at these bold goals.

For Self-Employed: A Bold Goal as Fuel

What is your BHAG? Especially self-employed individuals and founders should ask themselves this question. Following the motto “Think big”!

Once the BHAG is formulated, you can hang it visibly above your desk. As fuel for your daily work. If you work with others, a BHAG also serves as fuel for team spirit.

For self-employed trainers, coaches, and consultants, a BHAG could go in the following directions:

Every person in Germany uses method XY.

All European companies with more than 10,000 employees know and appreciate me.

Everyone in the world has access to my concept on XY.

Depending on whether you want to focus more on yourself (Everyone should know my name) or on your content (Everyone works according to method XY), your BHAG can aim in different directions.

With Digital Training to BHAG?

Even big, hairy goals are achieved only in small steps. Once your BHAG is established, you should ask yourself: What does the path to it look like? You don't have to create a detailed plan yet – but every step you take should head towards your BHAG.

The next step for many trainers, coaches, and consultants is: Independence and wide accessibility through digital training! For some ambitiously conceived goals, the internet is a fantastic way to greatly expand the customer base.

Reach the whole world with a click: Digital devices are an important tool for many on the way to the BHAG.

Your Next Step Towards BHAG

To expand your existing training as efficiently and simply as possible with digital support, the Blended Learning method is helpful: Keep your in-person courses and offer additionally a pre- and post-support as e-learning. This not only sets you apart from the competition but also provides significant added value for your customers: What is learned stays in memory much longer with Blended Learning and is applied actively.

We have put together 7 selling points for your online support to convince your next customer of the new concept. You can also find additional material around methods for digital training – for example, guides for getting started with Blended Learning or step-by-step instructions for self-produced learning videos.

Let's go on your way to the Big Hairy Audacious Goal!