Fibonacci Goals
Tags: ideas
Published: 2021-01-01 19:58:00

---
title: Fibonacci Goals
published: true
description: A system for goalsetting.
tags: Ideas
slug: fibonacci-goals
canonical_url: https://www.swyx.io/fibonacci-goals
cover_image: https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/9swbddr03q4gplf05jnk.png
---

I've realized that the problem with my old New Year's Resolutions is *not* that I give up halfway. It is that I overly fixate on 1 year *outcomes*, without holding myself accountable to a *system* that gets me there. While [the reasons to favor Systems over Goals](https://www.google.com/search?q=systems%20over%20goals) are well explored, I am still unwilling to abandon goals altogether. Goals are wonderfully motivating, especially if they are [Big, Hairy, and Audacious](https://www.swyx.io/bhags/).

I think the solution is to make a **system of goals** for yourself.

![Fibonacci Goals](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/ngkl2oyb7gmtw0gu1vap.png)

I've dubbed my system **Fibonacci Goals**. They work like this:

- On Day 1, I make a 1 day goal.
- If I achieve that goal, I can make a 2 day goal.
- If I achieve *that* goal, I am allowed to make a 3 day goal.

And so on, with goal commitment ramping up by the [Fibonacci sequence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibonacci_number): `1, 2, 3,  5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, ...`.

> Note: Technically, the Fibonacci sequence starts at 0, but I've opted to start at the second 1. Move your start point left or right as you wish.

If I fail a goal, I slide back toward the previous step. If I miss my 21 day goal, I must complete another 13 day goal before re-attempting the 21 day goal. This gives me a win before I attempt another milestone.

You can start a Fibonacci goal game at any time of the year, and take breaks between goals. If you start on Jan 1, an unbroken chain of successful goal completion from 1-day up to the 89-day goal takes 232 days (August 20). Taking into account breaks and backslides, there's enough for a full year of wins.

I suspect I will achieve more with this system than if I go for a 365-day goal on my first attempt.

In [Hegelian terms](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialectic#Hegelian_dialectic), if Goals are the thesis, and Systems are the antithesis, then Fibonacci Goals are the synthesis. A system made up of progressively increasing mini-goals. 

My first goal in 2021 is to write this post. I will set my next tomorrow. I hope this gives you some ideas for your personal goals and systems too. No matter what you use, I would love to hear about them and to support you in your progress!

> ICYMI: Randall and I chatted about [Systems vs Goals](https://careerchats.transistor.fm/episodes/goals-vs-processes-why-your-goals-are-actually-wishes) for the New Year's Eve episode of our podcast!

> You may also like: [Dump your Inner Drill Sergeant](https://www.breaker.audio/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/e/78771360) on the Happiness Lab podcast. Being too harsh on yourself doesn't work!

## Problems Solved 

Comparing Resolutions to Fibonacci Goals:

- We set 1 year goals without any evidence that we are able to achieve even half of that
- We don't know how to estimate what we can achieve in a year
- We get discouraged when we slip up mid year and then our whole year's motivation is shot with no way to "get back on the horse"
- We don't build momentum with progressive wins, it is all or nothing
- There is no system allowing for natural breaks
- We don't feel able to start a Resolution on a random date, say, October 3rd, and instead put off our hopes for Jan 1st.

<!---
## Running Goals (to be completed)

> To be clear: this is a new system for me and I am declaring my thoughts here as I go. I'll update this with my wins/fails through 2021.

- Jan 1 - 1 day goal: Write one blogpost
- Jan 3 - 2 day goal: Practice guitar for 2 days
- Jan 6 - 3 day goal: ??
- Jan 11 - 5 day goal: ??

-->