Set Themes, Not Goals
Modified 2026-08-07
Goals fail. Instead of a goal, pick a theme a broad, vibey direction like Year of Health or Winter of Learning.
- Example
bored in a queue during "Year of Reading"? open a book instead doing something you'd habitually do.
Why do goals suck?
- resolutions spike, then die
- goals defines "missed the number" as failure
- a theme can't fail, even decelerating a negative, is a positive
How to pick a theme?
- broad
don't plan, because if you don't have a map it's impossible to fail
- directional
points somewhere, so when making decision use it as a compass
- resonates
most important, a word that makes your brain hum and feel good deeply connects with you
Meaning is allowed to change:
- Year of Reading
you might realize books aren't for you, but really like articles or audiobooks => still on theme
- Year of Health
you start going ham, but realize something more foundational is lacking => okay, still on theme
More themes: adventure, attention, completion, gratitude, structure, growth, home, poise, compassion, learning, simplicity, consistency, joy, transition, routine, clarity, discipline, novelty, order.