3 Goal-Setting Frameworks for 2024 Success 🏆
Issue #71: Conquering Challenges in Long-Term Goal Setting. Best Book in Productivity. Formula for Satisfaction.
💡 Here are 3-tips to help you learn, grow, and be inspired this week!
🎓 Learn
As we are about to turn the page of 2023, some of us might have already started thinking about goals for 2024.
We’ve all heard this advice countless times: dream big, set clear goals; goals are vital.
But let’s be real; making significant life decisions and committing to long-term goals isn’t as simple as it sounds.
You might want to read 30 books this year, but what if life gets too busy?
You’re content with your job, but a longing for your own business nags at you.
Even though you’ve faced setbacks before, you want to start waking up at 5 AM next year.
The biggest issue with setting long-term goals isn’t the fear of failing but the fear of losing interest or passion in those goals.
This usually happens when:
You begin doubting your ability to achieve your goals.
Life shifts because of changes in relationships and priorities.
As time goes by, your personal growth and opportunities change your interests.
It’s hard to predict and even harder to commit to something that we are not even sure would be relevant anymore in a few years.
Now, while I’m not an expert in goal setting, I’ve found some frameworks that can make the process of setting goals more decisive and confident.
Framework #1: Focus on Action-Based Goals, not Outcome Based Goals
One major mistake I made before was setting goals based solely on outcomes, not actions.
For example, saying, "My goal is to read 30 books in a year," comes with a few issues:
It’s unclear how long the books will be.
The pressure to read a specific number of books might overshadow the joy of reading deeply.
What if I lose interest in reading halfway through the year? Does that mean I failed?
Instead, consider Action-Based Goals like "Read for 30 minutes every day."
This approach offers:
More control and a higher chance of success.
Daily progress instead of waiting for a year-end finish line.
The freedom to read at your own pace, focusing on quality rather than quantity.
The option to stop without feeling like a failure; the goal is to read for 30 minutes, not finish 30 books.
Here are more examples of Action-Based Goals:
(Outcome) Make 20 sales → (Action) Make 100 sales calls/month.
(Outcome) Lose 20 pounds → (Action) Exercise for 15 minutes/day.
(Outcome) Master a new language → (Action) Practice 1 lesson daily on the Duolingo app.
You don’t control the outcome; you control the process.
Framework #2: The Compass and Map
Most goals are influenced by passion.
But the problem with passion is it’s more fluid than fixed.
How can you decide and commit to something if it keeps changing?
Enter the Compass and Map framework, which is perfect for such situations.
Both tools are for navigating, but they work differently:
The Map focuses on reaching a specific destination, offering step-by-step directions. For example, if you want to be a Doctor → Get to a reputable school → Get good grades → Go to Medical School.
The Compass doesn’t care about the destination. It only cares about the right next steps.
How do you use this framework in life?
For goals, you are very confident and clear; you can use the Map mindset and find the best way to get there.
And for other goals, take a compass approach, take a few steps, and then decide.
Example:
Compass: Want to start your own business? Begin by reading a business book (then decide) → Talk to an entrepreneur (then decide) → Start a side hustle (then decide).
Framework #3: ABC Goals
The ABC Goals system, inspired by Shail Bloom, suggests setting three goals instead of just one:
A Goal: The most ambitious, ideal scenario.
B Goal: The middle ground, the baseline.
C Goal: The minimum viable level;
This system removes intimidation or guilt. Achieving your C Goal means you’re making progress. It keeps you from getting too fixated on the perfect (A Goal) and lets you adapt as life throws its curveballs.
For example, wanting to wake up early translates to:
A Goal: Wake up at 5 AM.
B Goal: Wake up at 5:30 AM.
C Goal: Wake up at 6 AM.
Key Takeaway:
Setting your goals around Actions (not outcomes) will increase your success rate; ABC Goal frameworks will eliminate the probability of giving up on your goals; Map and Compass framework will help at the moment when you are concerned about the relevance of these goals in the long-haul.
In addition, I would also suggest to “Live the Question.” Go on a walk with questions about your goal, and let your scatter-focused mind connect the Dots for you.
🚀 Growth Tip
If you are looking for a good book reading recommendation on “Productivity,” I would suggest this book.
I found a few productivity tips suggested in this book are a bit extreme, but without a doubt, there are several practical wisdom nuggets to improve productivity.
The previous issue, 20 Productive Things You Can Do in 10 Minutes or Less, is inspired by this book.
🤩 Inspiration
This formula for Satisfaction is pretty neat.
You will always be happy once you work on things aligned with your passion, continue to grow in the areas that complement your passion, and share your growth journey with others.
That’s why I enjoy writing and sharing on Learn + Grow every week.
PS: In the last few weeks, I have been reflecting on my Learn + Grow journey of 2023. Next Saturday, I’ll share my progress on Learning, Growth, and Impact of 2023, and goals for 2024. I will also share a notion template that you can use to review and reflect on your 2023 learn + growth journey. Stay tuned!
PPS: Enjoy the Learn + Grow? Please forward this to a friend. It only takes 18 seconds. Writing this one took 3 hours. And if you want to continue learning and growing, I would suggest subscribing and listening to my podcast, Peaceful Growth. It’s free, just like this newsletter.
May the Peaceful Growth be with you! 🪴