Hi there, Welcome to this weeks Get COACHd on Friday. Co Coaching is back next week – do get booked in now. Running from 19:30 to 21:00 on 9th June, this is a great opportunity for you to check-in with your coaching, get coached and receive feedback in a friendly and progressive online space – Check out Co Coaching here. This weekend we celebrate the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II. Regardless of your view on the monarchy, this is some achievement. However, I find myself asking the question, why do we celebrate certain numbers in certain ways? I find myself in between 50 and 60 and have celebrated my 30th and 40th. Why these? At its simplest level is it just that we prefer simplicity and something ending in a zero is easier? Indeed, some research from Sharon Armstrong, Lila Gleitman and Henry Gleitman suggests that round numbers like 100 are considered better examples of numbers than less frequently noticed numbers like 101, 99, or even 171. We focus on these round numbers. We think that they are more typical examples of numbers. We recognize them faster. (What some concepts might be – be warned this is a heavyweight). So does this then create a useful belief? If we find ourselves fixated on a round number, does this create something to hold onto? Consider the salesman that is aiming for 100% performance, or a delivery operation that is pursuing a 0% complaints rate. Realistically, achieving these targets can be aspirational but is easier to remember than perhaps 97.5% or 1.2% respectively. Whether a motivational goal is dubious depends on how achievable the goal is. Over the past two weeks, we have been exploring turning dreams to actionable plan. I wonder how this goal can be worked better. I have a goal of working with a certain number of clients – but does this mean that when I achieve my goal, I am satisfied? Of course not. However, in organisations, ‘sandbagging’ occurs when salespeople hold onto a sale until the next commissionable period so as to manage leader expectations and the inevitable stretch. The context needs to be considered when setting the goal and the review process. Different context, different processes. Enjoy the curated reads below. I do enjoy picking these for you – so it would be great to hear about which ones have resonated with you. | 
