Goals Plus Anti-Goals

A comprehensive framework for setting and achieving goals by considering both what you want to accomplish and what you want to avoid. Based on Shaan Puri's method.

Core Goal-Setting Methods

• Picture/Movie Scene Goals

  • Use visual representations instead of just written text
  • Find pictures that represent the end goal (e.g., house on Zillow)
  • Create mental "movie scenes" of success
  • More motivating than abstract written goals

• Floor and Ceiling Goals

  • Set a minimum acceptable outcome (floor)
  • Set an ambitious best-case scenario (ceiling)
  • Example: Podcast goals
    • Floor: Make 15 new friends/connections
    • Ceiling: Build large, engaged audience

• Goals and Anti-Goals

  • Explicitly identify what you don't want to happen
  • Helps avoid common traps of success
  • Example: Want successful podcast but don't want it to feel like work
  • Plan specifically to avoid anti-goals

Implementation Tactics

• In Your Face Daily

  • Set daily reminders of goals
  • Use Slack/tools to prompt regular review
  • Keep goals visible and top of mind
  • Share with team regularly

• Tip of Tongue Test

  • Goals should be instantly recallable
  • If you can't articulate quickly, not clear enough
  • Must include timeframe
  • Should be pass/fail measurable

• Belief-Driven Action

  • Only pursue goals you truly believe are possible
  • Belief drives action level
  • Massive belief = massive action
  • Poor results reinforce lack of confidence

• Revise Up or Abort Down

  • Don't compromise goals downward
  • Either raise ambition or completely change direction
  • Avoid getting stuck in mediocrity
  • Maintain excitement about the goal

Additional Success Factors

• Use shame/accountability

  • Make goals public
  • Create social pressure
  • Set appointments/commitments

• Baby Goals/Giggle Steps

  • Start with ridiculously small steps
  • Should be so easy it makes you laugh
  • Removes fear and resistance
  • Builds momentum gradually