Time and Attention 164: 50 Shades of Goals
26 snips
Jan 20, 2026 Explore the fascinating world of goal-setting, from outcome goals to process goals. The hosts dissect the limitations of traditional SMART goals and emphasize the importance of personal values in shaping our ambitions. Discover the difference between learning and performance goals and how adopting a growth mindset can transform frustration into productive learning. They offer practical tips for creating actionable goals and the benefits of viewing process goals as experiments. Tune in for valuable insights on setting goals that truly resonate!
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Pair Outcomes With Processes
- Define both the outcome you want and the process that will get you there.
- Pair outcome goals with specific process goals and review them weekly to experiment and improve.
Outcome Goals Motivate, Processes Mobilize
- Outcome goals motivate by giving you a target story of change while process goals mobilize daily action.
- Both are effective, but their power multiplies when you deliberately combine them.
Sticky Notes For Big Outcomes
- Ardyn describes his habit of using sticky notes for big outcome goals like a PhD and tenure.
- He now complements those outcomes with process goals like weekly writing targets and mentoring duties.
