Questions to Ask Yourself When Setting Goals
Evidence-informed prompts to set goals you’ll actually keep—aligned with values, scoped to reality, and built for momentum.
1What outcome do I want—and why now?
Click to see why this works
What outcome do I want—and why now?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Clarifies motivation and timing to prevent aimless goals.
2What does ‘done’ look like in observable terms?
Click to see why this works
What does ‘done’ look like in observable terms?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Defines success so you can recognize and celebrate it.
3What constraints (time, energy, money) do I need to design around?
Click to see why this works
What constraints (time, energy, money) do I need to design around?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Builds a plan that fits your actual life.
4What is the smallest step that meaningfully moves this forward?
Click to see why this works
What is the smallest step that meaningfully moves this forward?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Creates a doable starting point to beat inertia.
5What habit would make progress almost automatic?
Click to see why this works
What habit would make progress almost automatic?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Leverages systems over willpower for consistency.
6What will I stop or pause to free up capacity?
Click to see why this works
What will I stop or pause to free up capacity?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Prevents overload by making room for the new.
7Who can I ask for support or accountability?
Click to see why this works
Who can I ask for support or accountability?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Social scaffolding increases follow-through.
8What metric will I check weekly?
Click to see why this works
What metric will I check weekly?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Keeps attention on leading indicators, not vibes.
9How will I handle a missed day without losing momentum?
Click to see why this works
How will I handle a missed day without losing momentum?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Designs recovery to avoid all-or-nothing thinking.
10What risks could derail me—and what’s my mitigation?
Click to see why this works
What risks could derail me—and what’s my mitigation?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Plans for obstacles before they appear.
11How will I make it fun or meaningful?
Click to see why this works
How will I make it fun or meaningful?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Intrinsic rewards sustain effort longer.
12What would ‘good enough’ look like next month?
Click to see why this works
What would ‘good enough’ look like next month?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Prevents perfectionism from killing progress.
13What’s the review cadence to adjust course?
Click to see why this works
What’s the review cadence to adjust course?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Creates feedback loops to learn and adapt.
14If I only did one thing this week, what would matter most?
Click to see why this works
If I only did one thing this week, what would matter most?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Enforces priority discipline amid noise.
15What evidence will tell me this goal wasn’t worth it?
Click to see why this works
What evidence will tell me this goal wasn’t worth it?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Allows graceful exit from sunk-cost traps.
16What will success enable that I care about?
Click to see why this works
What will success enable that I care about?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Connects outcome to meaningful downstream benefits.
17How will I celebrate small milestones?
Click to see why this works
How will I celebrate small milestones?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reinforces progress and keeps morale high.
18What will I remember about this a year from now?
Click to see why this works
What will I remember about this a year from now?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Elevates perspective to avoid trivial pursuits.
19What’s my two-sentence commitment to myself?
Click to see why this works
What’s my two-sentence commitment to myself?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Focuses intent into a memorable pledge.
20What will I start today?
Click to see why this works
What will I start today?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Ends with immediate action to create momentum.
Goals That Stick
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Design for Reality
Subtractive Planning
Remove a task when you add a task.
Ritualize Reviews
Weekly 10-minute check keeps goals alive.
Celebrate Early
Reward small wins to train consistency.
Weekly Review
Checklist
Common Pitfalls
Ambiguous Goals
If you can’t picture ‘done’, define it first.
All-or-Nothing
Design a bounce-back plan to avoid resets.