Summary

The author advocates for setting seemingly impossible goals to boost productivity and motivation, ultimately achieving real objectives.

Abstract

The concept presented in the article suggests that by aiming for extremely challenging targets, individuals can surpass their usual capabilities and accomplish more than they would with more conventional goals. The author shares their personal experience with this method, particularly in the context of battling depression and ADHD. The technique involves setting a goal that is difficult but theoretically achievable in a day, such as writing a research paper or composing a large number of Haiku. The article outlines that even if one does not fully meet these "impossible goals," the effort put forth often results in achieving a significant portion of the actual intended goal. The author emphasizes that this approach provides a sense of motivation and accomplishment, which is especially beneficial for individuals facing mental health challenges. The technique is also compared to the Pomodoro method, suggesting it as a tool for enhancing focus and output.

Opinions

The author believes that setting impossible goals is a psychological hack to increase productivity.
They suggest that these goals should be challenging enough to be motivational, yet still within the realm of possibility.
The article posits that the pursuit of these goals can lead to a sense of satisfaction and progress, even if the goals are not fully realized.
It is the author's opinion that the method works particularly well for individuals with depression and ADHD.
The author asserts that this technique is enjoyable and can lead to unexpected personal achievements.
They also express that the method encourages personal growth and self-improvement beyond the initial goals set.

You Need to Set Impossible Goals To Achieve Your Actual Goals

A technique used to hack, your mind into believing — motivating it to achieve your real goals.

Have you ever been told, that it’s impossible for you to achieve your target within a day?

I’m sure you have been. I got tired of hearing that and decided to change that for myself by pushing towards creating impossible goals that I could meet. It helped me to achieve my actual goals for the day that was in between sets as milestones.

“Productivity is being able to do things that you were never able to do before.”

— Franz Kafka

The idea behind impossible goals is the motivation to achieve something others deem not possible. It is a motivational technique employed using goals that purposefully push you to meet deadlines. It removes the headache of dissatisfaction with work instead it pushes you to something extraordinary in the process.

An impossible goal can be as simple as writing a research paper in an entire day. This type of goal setting is usually done when your spirits are at their lowest. I know most days when you’re suffering from depression it can be really hard for you to focus on work.

Thus, If you want to meet deadlines then what better way of achieving your goals by setting something that purposefully adjusts your deadline in the process. An impossible goal is illustrated as follows.

20 % of the effort needed to achieve the actual goal that you were aiming to achieve every day. This is a hack to cheat your way into working with full drive and persistence. The impossible goal is there to motivate you, even though it can be done in a day’s work. That is the possibility that you will chase.

The 40% output is perhaps what anyone can do, given they divide their time using the Pomodoro technique of course. I have one of my own that is similar to it. It works well, and in my case someone who suffers from clinical depression and ADHD — It works wonders.

55% is the average output that I have been able to pull off every day. Since I write every day. I set my goals using this technique. Even though 55% in our scenario is twice the output we could achieve in a normal day. But using this I can cheat my mind into believing its only one time the effort.

75% is overkill, but beyond that so far has burned me out but it sure is fun, waking up every day to achieve something you thought was impossible.

The best distraction always works for those who suffer from ADHD like me and this goal is what motivates me to wake up every morning and work. It gives me a promise that someday, I will be able to achieve the impossible goal.

I set Im-possible goals every day to keep myself on my toes. I set impossible goals because they provide me with a thriving challenge — motivating me exponentially. They fill up with a perspective to look towards the bright side and thus removing my hindsight bias, increasing my chances of experiencing an awesome day.

Impossible goals can be like, writing 200 Haiku, or running 20 miles in one hour. The average result that you will achieve will be between 30% to 65% depending on that you take 5-minute breaks in between of course.

“The tragedy in life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.”

— Benjamin E. Mays

Setting these types of goals to ensure productivity and also giving you an insight into improving yourself is the best way to start your day. Though at times, you will feel down in the dumps but sticking to this timeline will ensure that you will eventually write something that will come from the inner etchings of your soul — something you can be proud of.

There are perhaps many things you can do, like “reading a book in an hour.” It does get your blood pumping with excitement. Imagine the book you always wanted to read, Read that by setting this goal.

“You don’t need a new plan for next year. You need a commitment.”

— Seth Godin

The best results are the ones that come when you’re fully committed to making 1/4 of what you set. They are what anyone can accomplish, they keep you happy and joyous for the days to come.

The last time I did this goal was I believe 5 days ago where I wrote 40 Haiku in one day. At one moment, I was so enthralled that I took a break to rest, and because of the enjoyment, I was so happy that I fell asleep while resting on my pillow.

“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”

— Muhammad Ali

I woke up the evening afterward. I couldn’t believe that I fell asleep, I came to check how many I had written — I had written 40 Haiku, 10 different stories, and 2 Fiction stories.

I was so excited, I went running towards my mother and told her my accomplishment. I told everyone in the house, what I did, and how much it meant as I wanted to share this passion with myself. I came back and I wrote some more.

Afterward, I went outside for a 2-mile walk. But I was able to 4 miles instead because I had forgotten that I became more agile by breaking my usual limits during these activities. I was able to improve myself even further. This is what it can do, I reckon. Thus, whenever I wake up — I go to the bathroom wash my face with water.

We trick our mind to do the heavy lifting to achieve our possible goal, and that is the 40% average output — A cheat if you may.

Then I smile in the mirror, once or twice, and continue towards my life’s ever-changing possibilities. Finishing what I could pull off and more by sticking to this regiment that puts forward opportunities for myself to implore and succeed. Try it, it works wonders once you start using it.

Thank you so much for reading and Remember to accomplish something impossible today. ❤️