#atom

Future-oriented visualization technique for values-aligned goal setting

Core Idea: By vividly imagining celebrating your accomplishments with a friend one year from now, you can work backward to identify meaningful goals and concrete actions that align with your personal values.

Key Elements

• Process:

  1. Imagine having dinner with a close friend one year from now
  2. Envision celebrating your progress in areas important to you
  3. For each value/domain identified in exercises like the Wheel of Life:
     • Write what you'd want to tell your friend about your progress
     • Be specific about achievements and how they made you feel
  4. Work backward to identify what actions would be necessary to reach this celebration
  5. Determine immediate first steps for each domain

• Benefits:

  • Creates positive, concrete vision of success
  • Links abstract values to specific outcomes
  • Provides emotional motivation through anticipated pride/satisfaction
  • Counteracts negativity bias by focusing on positive possibilities
  • Makes medium-term planning accessible and engaging

• Contrasts with "crystal ball method" (focused on what could go wrong) by focusing on positive outcomes

• Implementation tips:

  • Write in present tense as if already achieved
  • Include emotional states, not just achievements
  • Maintain document for regular review (e.g., bookmarked Google Doc)
  • Revisit and revise as values and circumstances evolve
  • Use as foundation for daily alignment quests

Connections

• Related Concepts: The Wheel of Life (identifies domains for celebration planning), The Eulogy Method (long-term vision that informs 12-month goals)
• Broader Context: Goal Setting Theory (applies psychology of effective goal setting)
• Applications: Three Alignment Quests (translates 12-month vision into daily actions)

References

1. Abdaal, A. (2023). Feel Good Productivity.

#goal_setting #visualization #positive_psychology #planning

Connections:

Sources:

• From: Abdaal-Feel-good Productivity