How To Select And Set Goals For Best Results

Our satisfaction with life stems from three things: purpose, control, and life balance. Setting the right goals and achieving them taps into all three. Setting the goals and achieving them therefore becomes one of the most important skills in our lives.

Their achievement is not based on luck. It’s a result of selecting the right goals, using the right methods, and making the right steps; in that order. Selecting and setting goals is deliberate practice.

How can we assure that we do meaningful things, make progress, and, in turn, increase our life satisfaction?

The Goal Setting And Pursuit

The setting and achieving goals can be broken down into three crucial components:

  1. Set goals based on your inner purpose and values
  2. Do things that move the needle (80/20 principle)
  3. Focus on the process, not on the results

Setting and achieving meaningful goals is not a matter of luck; it is a well-defined step-by-step process. If you know the steps, you can replicate them at will and achieve your goals.

“Achievement is not an art, it’s just a science.”
Tony Robbins ~ Science of Achievement and Art of Fulfilment

1. Set Goals Based on Your Inner Purpose and Values

Setting goals that truly matter starts with aligning them with your inner values and purpose.

As I’ve discovered in my own life, achieving external goals that don’t resonate with your authentic self can lead to a very bad fall. I achieved many goals by following a system I had learned. However, these goals were not mine. They were driven by societal expectations.

It’s like climbing a ladder only to realize it’s placed against the wrong wall. In my case the wrong goals and neglection to keep life balanced caused complete destruction of my life as I knew it.

This is why I firmly believe that setting goals must begin with a journey of self-discovery. It’s essential to identify your core values before setting your goals. If you’re uncertain how to uncover your values, you can check the Growing Tree of Life newsletter, where I delve into this topic extensively (issues #053 to #060). Once you’ve compiled a list of your values, you’re ready to start goal-setting.

“Your goals should reflect who you are and be based on your inner purpose and values.
That’s what gives them true meaning.”
Lubo

2. Do Things That Move the Needle (80/20 Principle)

Focusing on the right actions is key to achieving your goals efficiently. The 80/20 principle, often attributed to Jim Rohn, highlights that roughly 80% of results stem from 20% of actions. Identifying these high-impact actions is essential for making meaningful progress in various areas of your life.

Focusing on the right actions is key to achieving your goals efficiently. The 80/20 principle, often associated with the Pareto Principle, highlights that roughly 80% of results stem from 20% of actions. Identifying these high-impact actions is essential for making meaningful progress in various areas of your life.

“There’s usually about half a dozen things that make 80% of the difference.”
Jim Rohn

When I heard this quote, it made me think. “Six things? Only six things to make 80% difference? I CAN learn six things. That’s doable.” And indeed it was.

So, to harness the power of the 80/20 principle:

  • Identify the six actions that have the most significant impact on your desired results.
  • Allocate the majority (80%) of your time and effort to these six high-impact actions.
  • By concentrating your resources on these critical tasks, you can triple your effectiveness.

For instance, if your goal is to maintain good health, focus on the six most important factors: nutrition, hydration, sleep, physical activity, mental hygiene, and minimizing exposure to health hazards. Devote the majority of your efforts to these areas to ensure optimal well-being.

3. Focus on the Process, Not Just the Results

James Clear, in his book “Atomic Habits,” talks about the importance of focusing on systems and processes rather than fixating solely on end results. Focus on systems concentrates your attention on building habits and routines that lead to long-term success.

Take for example, the archer or gunner. If you’ve ever tried your hand at archery or target shooting, you understand that merely knowing where the target is isn’t enough. It’s not about just pointing your bow or gun in the general direction and hoping for the best. Instead, it’s about following a well-defined system of shooting.

In archery, mastering the system means understanding how to properly nock your arrow, draw the bowstring, aim, and release with precision. Without system you can hit a target by a chance, but with system you will hit it most of the time. The same principle applies to life’s goals and ambitions. Knowing where you want to go is essential, but having a well-crafted system in place is what truly sets you up for success. Systems ensure your:

  • Consistency: A well-designed system ensures that you consistently work towards your goals, reducing the likelihood of procrastination.
  • Adaptability: Systems can be adjusted and refined over time, allowing you to adapt to changing circumstances or obstacles.
  • Continuous Improvement: By concentrating on the process, you open the door to ongoing learning and improvement, which is vital for long-term success.

To set and achieve goals

Goal Types

As you embark on your goal-setting journey, it’s essential to recognize different types of goals. While SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timed) are commonly acknowledged, I also introduce the concept of “No-Go(als)” to remind you to consider your life vision comprehensively. Here are the four types of goals:

  1. SMART Goals (Create): These are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals. They should challenge you and promote growth.
  2. Moonshot Goals (Create): Moonshot goals resemble visions, often lacking a clear path or timeline. They are vital for personal growth and pushing your limits.
  3. DUMB Goals (Cultivate): These goals involve Doing Unchallenging Manual & Boring tasks, which serve as maintenance activities during challenging times or when you’re emotionally drained. These task are usually periodically reoccurring.
  4. “No-Go(als)”: These are things you consciously choose to avoid. They can be a single tasks you never do (e.g. I don’t smoke) or conditional tasks you avoid unless some condition is met (e.g. I don’t watch TV except from the stationary bike).

Balancing these goal types in your life can provide a comprehensive overview of your journey, allowing you to see your progress and enhance your overall life satisfaction.

Goal mixture

A good mixture of these goals might look like this:

  • 10% Moonshot Goals
  • 20-30% DUMB Maintenance Tasks
  • 60-70% SMART Goals As many
  • “No-Go(als)” as you want.

I believe that it’s essential to have a balance of these four types of goals. It gives you an overview of the journey ahead, helps you see the progress you made, and increases your overall life satisfaction.

“Your satisfaction and fulfilment grow when you are consistently making progress towards meaningful goals aligned with your values.”
Lubo

Keeping Life in Balance

Setting and achieving goals is important but it’s equally important to ensure a balance in all aspects of life. Focus on just one life area can cause an enormous problems later in life. Trust me, neglection of keeping a balance in my pursuits nearly killed me. To achieve this balance, consider setting goals for each life area. For further guidance on achieving harmony across various life domains, you can check the article How To Set a Balance Between Different Types of Actions Across All Life Areas.

Planning Systems

Life Plan

Yearly Plan

Quarterly Overview

Weekly Planning

Daily Planning

To ensure consistent progress and maintain balance across various life areas, I’ve developed a straightforward yet powerful daily planning system known as “1-to-5.” This system covers all essential aspects of life, enhances productivity, and keeps you focused. Here’s how it works:

  1. One step towards your vision: Every day, take one small step that brings you closer to your grand vision or moonshot goal. These incremental actions accumulate over time, transforming seemingly unattainable dreams into achievable goals.
  2. Two hours of deep work: Dedicate at least two hours each day to working intensely on your most critical SMART goal. These focused sessions are essential for making substantial progress.
  3. Three SMART goals: Complete three additional simple tasks related to your SMART goals. These tasks can pertain to the same goal or different goals and should contribute to your overall objectives.
  4. Four DUMB tasks: Execute four DUMB tasks daily. These are quick, maintenance activities that help maintain your daily living standards. Examples include exercise, meal preparation, or organizing a specific area of your home.
  5. Five minutes of planning: Spend five minutes each evening planning the next day’s 1-to-5 tasks. Focus on selecting one step towards your moonshot goal, the task for a two-hour deep work session, and three additional SMART goal-related tasks.

The 1-to-5 system covers all critical areas of life, maintaining balance and ensuring continuous progress.

In conclusion, setting and achieving meaningful goals is a deliberate practice that can significantly impact your satisfaction and overall life fulfilment. By aligning your goals with your inner purpose and values, focusing on high-impact actions, and emphasizing the process over mere results, you can embark on a journey of continuous improvement and authenticity. Remember that balance is key, and your journey towards achieving your goals should enhance all aspects of your life, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and harmonious existence.

  • 10% Moonshot Goals
  • 20-30% DUMB Maintenance Tasks
  • 60-70% SMART Goals

I believe that it’s essential to have a balance of these three types of goals. It gives you an overview of the journey ahead, helps you see the progress you made, and increases your overall life satisfaction.

Your satisfaction and fulfilment grow when you are consistently making progress towards meaningful goals aligned with your values.

1-to-5 system
I created and used a simple but powerful system to ensure that I make progress every day. It covers all life areas, helps me to stay productive, and keeps me focused.

I call it 1-to-5, and it’s incredibly easy to follow.

One step towards your vision

  • Every day, take one small step that brings you closer to your grand vision or moonshot goal. This could be as simple as reading a chapter from a book that helps you understand how to achieve it. Just one small step, but over the long term it makes all the difference. By taking those steps, even the most outlandish vision gradually turns into an achievable goal. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! Because the moonshot goals are so out of our reach (it’s kind of a dream) we usually feel overwhelmed, we don’t know what to do or even where to start. Because of that we usually dream and do nothing for years. By doing one simple thing to discover more and to understand or test how it is done, we bring the dream closer to reality every day. Remember, someday means never.
    Two hours of deep work
  • Dedicate at least two hours each day to working deeply on your most important SMART goal. These focused sessions are crucial for making progress.
    Three SMART goals
  • Complete three additional simple tasks related to your SMART goals. They can be related to the same goal or to different goals, that doesn’t matter. They don’t need to be time-consuming either. They should still contribute to your overall objectives.
    Four DUMB tasks
  • Carry out four DUMB tasks daily. These are short maintenance activities that help maintain the standards of your living. Examples are exercising, doing dishes after meals, or sorting out one drawer.
    Five minutes of planning
  • Spend five minutes every evening planning the next day’s 1-to-5 tasks. I don’t usually plan all four DUMB tasks as some will naturally arise during the day. I focus on selecting 1. one step towards my moonshot goal, 2. the task for a two-hour deep work session, and 3. three other SMART goal tasks.
    Side note:
    I have a big problem with number four. I tend to get lost in the deep work for much longer than just two hours. Because of that, I find myself lacking the time to do other things.
    That’s why I have a separate Cultivation time block for maintenance tasks. Mainly for the longer ones or those which reoccur weekly. (e.g., shopping, budgeting, house cleaning, and laundry). I also have a friend who helps me with maintaining the house.
    But unless I have a bipolar episode, I try hard to do four cultivation things every day and I am getting better at it.

So that’s it, my 1-to-5 system.

Why it works? It covers all important areas of life (if you have your goals based on your purpose and values). It maintains balance in your life with moonshots, SMART, and DUMB tasks. And it ensures that you’ll always move forward.

My tip today:
Spend just five minutes tonight planning your tasks for tomorrow. When you wake up, you will already know what you want to achieve and that will make it easier to do it.