A to-do list is not a goal

Scott distinguishes to-do and bucket lists from real goals and emphasizes intentional goal definition.

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Episode notes

I've talked about goals for 19 years on this podcast.

Got 5,200 episodes documented. I could pull every single mention of goals from my database and write a book. AI could probably do it for me.

But after all that talking, I've gotten really simple about goals.

Two types. Legacy goals that take your whole life. Living goals that happen every week, month, year.

If your living goals don't lead toward your legacy goals, your spirit breaks. I've seen it happen.

Your legacy is being written today. Some of you won't make it through 2026. What you leave behind is happening right now.

One goal is all it takes. Everything else is just steps in the journey.

Featured Story

I didn't used to think about legacy goals for much of my life.

Then one day I accepted something. No matter what I was chasing, it was the who I would become that got my attention. It was rolling around pretty fast at that time.

I thought, how's this all going to come together?

My internal Scott logic told me that if I'm thinking about something anyway, I might as well think about it purposely.

That's when I figured out passion zones. Simple concept. Identify the things you like to do in different areas of your life. Then do more of them.

If you do things you like and they're in alignment with big goals, life is more fun. Your legacy gets automatically written.

Important Points

A to-do list is not a goal list, even a bucket list isn't a goal, and most people don't understand the difference between busy work and actual goals.

Legacy goals are lifelong, living goals happen every week or month, and if your living goals don't complement your legacy goals, you're building the wrong life.

If you're chasing stuff all day that doesn't lead to something you find important and big, your spirit gets broken, not depressed, but actually giving up.

Memorable Quotes

"A to-do list is not a goal list. I'll say it again. A to-do list is not a goal list."

"If you set a bunch of goals that have nothing to do with what you want your legacy to be, well, your legacy is going to be not what you wanted it to be."

"One goal is all it takes. Everything else is just a step in the journey."

Scott's Three-Step Approach

Define your legacy goals first, the big stuff you'll spend your entire life achieving, because everything else needs to point toward this or you're wasting time.

Create living goals that complement your legacy goals, not random busy work, but actual steps that build the life you want to leave behind.

Focus on daily actions designed to get you to your legacy goals, because your legacy is being written today, whether you're paying attention or not.

Chapter Notes

0:45 - Nineteen years of goal-setting wisdom in one place

1:58 - Why you're probably overdoing goal setting

2:46 - Legacy goals versus living goals explained

4:21 - Passion zones: do more of what you like

5:20 - When your spirit gets broken by misalignment

6:52 - The sobering truth about 2026 and legacy

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