New Year’s goal setting using triple loop learning

As I write this, a new year has just begun. My algorithms and feeds are full of ideas to set goals, achieve goals, and also, how to reject the notion of setting any goals at all! What if you didn’t just double down, but triple your reflective activities this January with an intensive reflective framework? 

As David Clutterbuck (2017) says, “Finding time to think is a luxury for many people – and the more senior they are, the more essential it is for their performance. The problem is that we are so used to shallow, instinctive thinking that we have to work at thinking more deeply.” Enter a little coaching secret: engage in triple loop learning to dive deep into your goals. Triple loop learning was originally conceptualized by Argyris and Schön with a lens on organizational learning, but I see this model as perfect for creating resolutions and goals that stick. 

Triple loop learning, in the context of New Year’s resolutions, would be:

Single loop: How do I stick to the goal?
Double loop: Is this the right goal?
Triple loop: What does this goal say about who I am and how I want to live?

What does this look like, in practice? 

Let me walk you through my own triple loop learning analysis of one of my new year’s resolutions: “I’m going to turn my phone off at 9:30pm.”

Sounds simple, concrete, measurable, and actionable, right? So, it should be a piece of cake. But I know from past attempts, this will be hard for me to stick to. So here are my three loops to help keep me on track.

Single loop: How do I stick to the goal? 

I notice that I end up in text message conversations with friends after 9:30pm (because that’s when we’re all finally free). So, I’m going to tell my friends about my goal so they hold me accountable. 

Double loop: Is this the right goal?

I can see myself breaking this rule. I am a night owl. I value this communication, but it winds me up and makes it harder for me to sleep. So, what am I trying to protect? My sleep? Am I finding it harder to be present and fully awake during the day when I’m up late?

Triple loop: What does this goal say about me and how I want to live?

I don’t want to be a zombie. I don’t want my time to melt away without me even realizing it. But I truly enjoy those back-and-forths with friends. So, how do I make time for meaningful connections while protecting my sleep, presence, and attention?

When I examine the three loops, I remain convinced that the “9:30 rule” is a decent one to strive for… but that there are other themes emerging, such as craving consistent and meaningful connections with a core group of friends to live a full and satisfying daily life. 

As you set your goals this year, try asking yourself all three questions. Get curious. And see what changes. 

If you’d like to learn more about working with me, get in touch.