The last goal-setting framework you will ever need

Do you know how many people achieve the goals they set for themselves?

A whopping 8%.

That's quite frustrating if you think about it. We all have goals, yet only 8 out of 100 will actually achieve what they set out to do.

Before I developed this system, I wasn't any different.

I loved setting goals.

Goals allowed me to think big. Who do I want to be? What do I want to achieve? Maybe a famous public speaker? Or a writer? Someone who has lots of time and swims in cash? All of it was possible.

Yet, when it came to executing, I never maintained high discipline.

My goals hyped me up. Sometimes, they motivated me to take the first steps.

But in the long run, I rarely stuck to them.

However, there were a few goals I actually achieved.

Like finishing a marathon. Completing my Master's in the top 5% of graduates. Or financing my trip around the world.

After analyzing my successes, I developed this system - and got unstoppable.

Let's dive in!

The System

In total, you will need three types of goals: big goals, small goals, and anti-goals.

Big goals are there to motivate you and show you what is possible.

Small goals will make sure you make consistent progress towards your big goals.

Anti-goals will keep you on track and make sure that your transformation stays positive.

Make sure that you set these three for every objective you pursue.

Big goals

There are many different types of goals that fall into this category: SMART goals, big hairy audacious goals, you name it.

I don't really care how you want to name them, but they have one thing in common: they are output-focused.

Big goals usually focus on one big result:

• make 100k until the end of the year

• get to 20k followers until the end of this month

• have a six-pack before the start of summer

Setting these goals is what's most fun - because you are completely free in what you choose to set as a goal.

Just make sure that it aligns with your future self. Always remember: How would I want to be remembered after I die?

I personally like to set these goals until further notice. I don't change them until I think that they are no longer representing my desired transformation. But feel free to set them on a yearly or quarterly basis if you think this might work better for you.

Setting 3-6 big goals shouldn't be a big issue. More will result in imbalance and - consequently - in worse results.

Small goals

Small goals will bring you closer to your big goals.

Kinda like key results for an objective in the OKR framework (for my productivity nerds).

While the task of big goals is to inspire and motivate you, small goals are there to guarantee you're progressing in the right direction. 

That is also the reason why they cannot be output-based. They need to be about what you need to do daily. In other words, what input do you need to deliver to achieve your desired output (the big goal)?

Here, the best framework I've come across so far is the NICE goal by Ali Abdaal.

NICE is an acronym and stands for:

• near-term

• input-based

• controllable

• energizing

Here's an example of a NICE goal:

In the next 7 days (near-term), I will create one workout plan for one muscle group (input-based) by researching exercises (controllable) from Fitness YouTubers I love (energizing).

Using this will make sure that you focus on actions that move the needle and motivate you at the same time.

Every big goal should have at least 1-3 small, NICE goals.

Anti-goals

Anti-goals are the latest addition to my goal-setting framework.

I've come across them on Sahil Bloom's blog and had to steal them from him immediately.

Anti-goals will make sure that you don't transform into a person you wouldn't want to become. 

If you want to become rich and famous (your big goal), you might have to work a lot.

As a consequence, time with your friends and family might suffer.

After you become rich, you realize that you worked so much that now there are no friends and family left with whom you could share your success.

Defining an anti-goal of "Do not squander time with important ones." would've helped you to avoid this undesired transformation.

From my experience, anti-goals work best when you formulate them for every big goal by asking "What outcome do I refuse to accept on my way to [big goal]?".

Regular check-in

Every 2 weeks, I check in on my goals.

I ask the following questions:

1. Did I make progress on my NICE goals?

2. Do I need to add new NICE goals?

3. Am I aligned to my anti-goals?

Every 3-6 months, I also check whether my big goals are still valid and motivating to me.

Conclusion

These are the three types of goals you need to succeed in life.

Some last tips:

• Don't be too strict with your big goals. Dream big and don't worry about their formulation too much.

• Invest the time and energy you saved for your big goals in your NICE goals. Nailing them guarantees success in the right direction.

• Never negotiate with your anti-goals. You'll have times when ignoring an anti-goal might lead to faster progress. Don't do it. In the long run, you'll always regret abandoning your ideals.

That's it for today.

Stay seeking.

Philipp