One way to make instant traction on the goal that’s in your head

Michelle Woo
Forge
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2 min readJun 16, 2021

🏃‍♀️ Tip: Break down a long-term goal into sprints.

Maybe you’re curious about a pursuit—say, learning how to cook or taking up graphic design—but you’re overwhelmed because it seems like such a big thing. Ryder Carroll, creator of the Bullet Journal, suggests breaking down the goal into a series of “sprints.” As he explains on Better Humans, you start by completing one specific, self-contained project in order to gain information on whether you should keep going with the idea or let it go.

“One author and entrepreneur, for example, was curious about podcasting,” Carroll writes. “It was something he knew little about. Rather than dedicating himself to becoming a podcaster, he set out to do six episodes with his friend Kevin Rose. That experiment turned into The Tim Ferriss Show.” If you’re interested in public speaking, maybe your sprint is to talk on Instagram Stories every day for a week. If you’re curious about becoming a writing instructor, your sprint might be hosting a three-day essay workshop. Getting to that mini-finish line will not only provide you with clues about your future, but it’s also something to celebrate in itself.

More from Forge on reaching your goals:

4 Ideas for Setting Goals That Stick
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5 Small Ways to Achieve Your Big Goals
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The Key to Achieving Your Goals Is Controlled Failure
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Michelle Woo
Forge
Writer for

Author of Horizontal Parenting: How to Entertain Your Kid While Lying Down (Chronicle Books)