Optimization

This next little article is about optimization, and it's important. I find most people set goals that are far too ambitious, and therefore end up doing nothing. It's like they want to get to the 8th floor, but they refuse to build stairs. I see people all the time set goals like "lose 50 pounds". How can you lose 50 pounds and not lose 5 pounds first? Shouldn't one shoot for the 5? Duh.

What is the right number of tasks to acheive a goal? Using the "8th floor" analogy, suppose that there were only 2 stairs per floor (2 tasks per milestone). Would that prove effective? Well, if floors are 10 feet high, then each step is 5 feet high. Can you vertical jump 5 feet high? No? Then you are still going to fail. Theoretically, there are a certain number of tasks per milestone (and by extension per goal) that allow you to succeed. Any fewer will result in failure. Using the same analogy, what if there were say 40 steps per floor (equating to 3 inches each)? You might start doing more steps at a time (known as "chunking"), which would be fine. The lesson here is to err on the side of creating more tasks that you think necessary. In the graph below, notice that for tasks less than N*, success is impossible. Thus N* represents the minimum number of tasks to achieve the goal.

So now you understand the basic concepts. Now, here are some (mostly obvious) tips to make sure you best able to tackle your goals. My advice is to treat this entire process with care, respect, and even a bit of pomp. This is your life we are talking about, so contemplating it while in line at the bank or while waiting to use the bathroom may reflect poorly POORLY on who you are. I recommend treating this as a ceremony, replete with travelling to places that are personally important, or to places that have deep meditation meaning. Most importantly, try to go with a clean mind. The day after receiving an eviction notice, or being fired, probably isn't time for this type of work. Also, keep the amount of time to a minimum, as I warn you: it is emotionally tiring if you do it right. You will be reminiscient, nostalgic, confused, and ready to blow it off.

Most importantly, make sure you are reevaluating goals that have been achieved. Often, you will find ways to go further down the same path, or make a delightful turn. It is the deepest satisfaction to be in the driver seat of your life.