Vague goals fail: define the actions, the numbers and a range
Mel Robbins' goal episodes call for measurable goals with a range rather than general wishes, and Huberman's goal toolkits ask for specific verbs, quantified actions and concrete plans. A goal you can count is one you can act on and check, which is where most good intentions break down.
What single question does Mel Robbins use to test whether a goal is real? Show answer
"How are you going to know that you've achieved it?" If you can't answer it with something you can measure, she says it is only a wish, a want or a dream.
How did asking that question change Robbins' gardening goal? Show answer
Her vague goal to garden more became learning to grow dahlias from seed, with success defined as cutting her first bouquet and putting it in a vase by her kitchen sink.
What is a high-low range in Robbins' goal setting? Show answer
A goal set with a high and a low, rather than a single number.
What ranges did Robbins set for her own goals? Show answer
Journaling five to seven days a week, one to ten dahlias blooming, and going without alcohol for 75 of 90 days.
What is an implementation intention in Robbins' framework? Show answer
A simple written sentence of the form "I will do the rep at a certain time in a certain place," such as drinking a Mason jar of water at 6 a.m. in front of the coffee maker.
Why does Huberman count actions rather than outcomes? Show answer
Many outcomes, like conversational French, are hard to measure, but actions such as hours of practice per week can always be counted.
How does Huberman turn a fitness goal into specific verbs? Show answer
Instead of a vague state like getting fit, he defines actions like going to the gym three times a week for at least 60 minutes, with about 50 minutes of hard work.
What did the workplace recycling studies Huberman cites show? Show answer
A concrete plan, such as putting all bottles and cans in the recycling, produced far more improvement than a general call to recycle more.
How often does Huberman suggest assessing progress on action goals? Show answer
Weekly, which he calls a good solid rule of thumb based on the studies he refers to.
What is Huberman's "post-it fallacy"? Show answer
Leaving a goal note in one place; the visual system cancels out what stays constant, so he says to rewrite reminders and move them daily.
Where do Robbins and Huberman disagree about telling people your goal? Show answer
Robbins recommends telling someone you admire, citing Ohio State studies; Huberman says to keep it private, apart from one accountability buddy, because early praise can reduce the work.
What does Robbins say a goal needs besides a measure? Show answer
A why as well as a how; goals you keep abandoning, she says, aren't linked to something you value.