The Power Of Setting A Quota

Our subject today is, as the title implies, “setting a quota.”

You can, by setting a quota, conjure a wealth of great results.

My hope is that the essay below clarifies some of these results and highlights the power of setting a quota.

You are the judge of that, though. So, with that, let’s begin!

What Is A Quota?

A quota is a goal.

To fulfill this goal, one must produce a specific result within a specific quantity.

Just as an example, your goal may be to come up with twenty foods to cook for a party.

The specific result, in question, is good, tasty foods that you can cook for a party, so as to satisfy your guests.

Right next to this specific result is a quantity which, in this case, is twenty.

Your goal can be anything. And, so can your quantity.

Just as an example, if you are facing a problem, you can come up with ten solutions to that problem.

By doing so, you can solve that problem.

You can apply this same framework to just about anything.

No matter what you apply it to, you can:

• Solve Problems
• Find Solutions
• Clarify New Possibilities
• Find New Paths
• Become More Creative

And so on and so forth.

The Power Of Setting A Quota

Setting a quota concentrates your energy and attention.

You know what you want and you are focused on bringing that to life.

But, that’s not all.

Setting a quota allows you to go beyond convention and insecurity.

You see, one of the keys to fulfilling a quota is allowing your creativity to unfold, without judgment.

If you want to solve a problem, you can come up with many solutions.

Rather than judging each solution as you come up with it, you can set a higher quantity and, then, write every potential solution that comes to you.

Some of them may not be very good. But, some of them will. And, there’s a good chance it may not be the first solution that came to mind.

To go along with that, many of the solutions you come up with, in this particular example, will go beyond what is conventional and familiar.

You are, in essence, creating new possibilities.

Creating new possibilities that go beyond habits of thinking and acting.

All of these new possibilities allow for an even greater wealth of new possibilities to arise.

And, then, there’s yet another facet to this.

You see, quantity is the key to production.

A high quantity of solutions or possibilities or questions or, well, anything you wish to come up with is the key to producing what it is you want.

And, production is the key to quality.

The more solutions you come up with to a particular problem, the better you will be at solving problems.

Solving problems with ease and creativity, that is.

And, this doesn’t just apply to solutions or ideas or anything like that.

Rather, you can apply this same emphasis on quantity and production, within specific goals, to any particular field of endeavor.

You may want to write good stories.

If so, you can set a quota for, perhaps, fifteen stories.

And, then, you can write those stories.

You will become a better storyteller and, most likely, produce a few good stories.

And this works for anything, allowing for an infinite wealth of unique possibilities.

Your Experiment

To make use of this practice this power, truly — you must set a goal.

Your goal might be to solve a problem.

Or, it might be something more open-ended, such as becoming a better storyteller.

Right after that, you must set a quantity that is aligned with your goal.

Bigger quantities tend to work best, as they allow you to go beyond self-criticism and insecurity, making it easier to focus on producing and, in turn, growing.

And, then, you must work on fulfilling that quantity, within a period of time that makes sense to you.

Just as an example, if you want to come up with solutions to a problem, you can set aside one-hour to come up with thirty solutions.

And, then, give yourself some time to work with a few of those solutions, if you can.

Returning to an earlier example, if you want to write fifteen stories, you can give yourself fifteen days to do so.

Once you begin the experiment, though, all bets are off.

Your goal is to fulfill the quota and, well, just see what happens.

You may find all that you are looking for.

You may find an abundance of new possibilities that excite you.

You may find your skills growing and evolving.

Or, you may find something else.

Conclusion

Setting a quota, and following it, is a powerful act.

A powerful act that can, and will, lead to new possibilities.

My hope is that you experience a wealth of great results with this experiment.

No matter what, though, thank you so much for reading this essay!

As always, if you wish to reach me, you can do so at “maxwellcakin@gmail.com.”

Best wishes, and have a lovely day!