Unlock Your Best Year Yet

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Today, we’re going to take an Essentialist’s view of goal setting.

In a time of Hustle Culture & “crushing it in the New Year”, the philosophy of Essentialism, founded by Greg McKeown, offers a refreshing perspective: Less but Better. 

Essentialism is not about simply doing less for the sake of it; it’s about discerning and focusing on the right things.

In a society that often promotes busyness-as-a-badge of honor, Essentialism encourages us to prioritize the tasks that truly matter, leading to a more effective & fulfilling life.

Determining what is right for us & what matters is an entirely personal process.

So as we continue to navigate the depths of winter, let’s let go of the societal pressures to transform our lives when the clock strikes midnight on NYE.

Change doesn’t adhere to a calendar — it’s a gradual & intentional process.

Whether you choose to embark on this journey now or wait until the bloom of spring, the Essentialist mindset can guide you towards a more impactful year ahead.

Drawing from Greg McKeown’s book, Essentialism, these questions can be used for effective goal-setting and prioritization.

Questions from Essentialism:

• What is the most valuable result I could achieve in this job (or situation)?

• Am I investing in the right activities?

• What do I feel deeply inspired by? What am I particularly talented at? What meets a significant need in the world?

• If you could only do one thing with your life right now, what would you do?

• Is there a point at which doing more does not produce more? Is there a point at which doing less (but thinking more) will actually produce better outcomes? What is that point?

• What if the whole world shifted from the undisciplined pursuit of more to the disciplined pursuit of less… only better?

In reflecting on these questions, remember the perspective of economist, Thomas Sowell: there are no solutions, only tradeoffs.

Achieving one goal often comes at the expense of another.

For example, if you set a goal to read more this year, you’ll have less time to exercise, play music, or spend time with your friends.

The perception that we can do everything is a delusion.

Speaking from experience, trying to do too much at once leads to stress, burnout, and/or underperformance.

As McKeown advises in Essentialism: “Stop asking, ‘How can I make it all work?’ and start asking the more honest question ‘which problem do I want to solve?’”

So as we head into 2024 - I’d invite you to stop, breathe, and think.

What matters most? How can I set goals in alignment with those things?

And remember - you can do anything, just not everything at once.

Thank you for Reading

Next week, I’ll share how these questions are guiding my approach to 2024, and what my goals actually are.

Until then, I’d like to invite you to consider this quote from poet Mary Oliver:

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do / with your one wild and precious life?”

Let’s have ourselves a 2024.

With gratitude,

Aidan