I WAS WRONG - How I Set Goals
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I never used to be a huge fan of goals. They just seemed a bit pointless compared to the value of a robust system. But over the past year speaking to different experts, I've come to realise that there may be more to this whole goal thing than I previously thought.
August- / augustbradley
Ben - / @dr.benjaminhardy
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
00:27 Part 1 - Forget Goals, Focus on Systems
02:04 Part 2 - How To Actually Think About Goals
07:15 Part 3 - Yin and Yang
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I’m sure Ali’s wedding will be a “Productive Wedding - Vlog”
Under rated comment
I was gonna write that comment
A prophecy to be fulfilled in due time.
Lmao exactly
Haha! Wish he got married before me so I can take some notes 🤓
Improvements are only temporary until they become part of who you are. -The goal is not to read a book, the goal is to become a reader. -The goal is not to run a marathon, the goal is to become a runner. -The goal is not to learn an instrument, the goal is to become a musician. This year, focus on the identity you want to build. Happy new year!!!
I love this! Been trying to play piano on n off last year, this paradigm shift would help. Instead of dreading practice, i can view it as a jam session
@@gabzz72 that's great my friend! In 2021 I plan to start a youtube channel and I will definatelly include some productivity videos! Consider subscribing if you think you would be interested in such topics! I wish you all the best for an amazing 2021!! 💯😀
I love this part as well from the book! ❤️ i was reading that part over and over again to completely understand and take it to my unconscious mind 🥺
@@summerdew138 I totally relate! It is from Atomic Habits, an amazing book! I also recommend the book ''the compound effect''. Great read! If you love these types of content, consider subscribing to my channel, I plan to start posting in 2021! Happy new year!!
Absolutely
'' get married in 2021" aww wish you good luck! Hope you find the girl of your dreams this year😊🤞 Wishing everybody a happy new year! 😀
@@vaibhavkamade7915 No
@@vaibhavkamade7915 what's that have to do w getting married (and no he doesn't live w his mum)
girl or boy. please dont assume
@@louis9833 1. That comment was uncalled for 2. He said many times in his videos that he is looking for a *wife/girlfriend*
@@corneliusnowicki5363 1) um not uncalled for. it is 2021 we don't need to assume things about people when we are not them 2) that was said in the past and eventhough he has said that, that doesn't mean hes not also looking for a husband/boyfriend maybe hes just not open about that bc of personal reasons all im saying is can we pls just say person instead bc it will make people feel a little bit more comfortable discussing things. no need to be toxic about it ty
How many people clicked on the video ASAP when they saw ALI getting married written on the book 😁😂
I did not paid attention to that...LoL
me tooo
Me. That's genuinely shocking and concerning
Hell I clicked for the apple sponsorship. Is that even a thing?
bruh most of the audience Ali has are serious audience. they don't click on a video due to clickbaits
Love David's Allen approach for goals: "what do you want to be true in your life by the end of 2022?" It's more about scenarios than numbers or specific stuff.
Thais! Great to see your comment here. Totally agree! Another great David Allen Question, "What is your vision of Success in 2021?"
where did he said that can i read it?
I mean that is essentially the same statement?
@@emailaddress3847 Sure, You could say that. However, different words trigger different responses for different people. For some the question phrased using success helps.
@@chickenwings273 He shared that in our of our internal GTD Trainer calls. He says in the context of "Horizons of Focus". Perhaps if you search for David Allen Horizons of Focus you may find the complete reference to that.
"you don't rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your habits" -atomic habits, best book I've read 2020 thanks to u
Yeah that was and still is one of the best books I've read (or in my case, listened to) in 2020 and is the book which set me in the right direction for the first time in my life.
'What man needs is not a tension-less state, but a striving and struggling for a worthwhile goal.' - Viktor E. Frankl
Such an amazing book, brilliant!
It's a sign of maturity to say to thousands of people that you were wrong :D happy New Year to Ali and everyone ❤❤❤
Hey ! What a coincidence hahahaha! Happy New Year girl ! 🥳🤍
@@rozminhall Happy New Year!! ♡♡♡
Happy new year 🥳🥳
@@saanjhsharma8798 ♡♡♡
Love this: I like setting soft goals backed by hard habits.
Yes!!! So true!
“The taking steroids... Not that bit” 😂
Man knows gymshark
Looooool
😂😂😂
The yin and yang of self-acceptance and self-improvement is a stroke of genius. That’s the optimal mindset for everyone; conscious in the present yet with positive anticipation for the future. Happy new year, Ali! (watching this at 2 a.m. in 2021!)
Wait are you in 2021 already? Time traveller.
@@milonga_ Hahaha. It's actually 428am here already. Happy new year!
You’re in the future!
@@milonga_ GMT +8 😊
This is a question anyone who's serious about Buddhism has to wrestle with - how do I reconcile wanting and striving to reach (enlightenment, in this case) while not desiring. The best answer I've ever come up with is analogous to climbing a set of stairs, where each step you're on has to be solid and stable in order to be used as a stepping off point - that is too say, you can't move forward from where you are until you're happy (and the step is strong) where you are.
"Journey before the Destination" - life changing! Focus on the System instead. So true. This is my major shift in 2021
This poem was written in 1911 and has been translated into many languages since then. Its lyric words and message are touching. As you set out for Ithaka hope the voyage is a long one, full of adventure, full of discovery. Laistrygonians and Cyclops, angry Poseidon- don't be afraid of them: you'll never find things like that on your way as long as you keep your thoughts raised high, as long as a rare excitement stirs your spirit and your body. Laistrygonians and Cyclops, wild Poseidon- you won't encounter them unless you bring them along inside your soul, unless your soul sets them up in front of you. May there be many a summer morning when, with what pleasure, what joy, you come into harbors seen for the first time; may you stop at Phoenician trading stations to buy fine things, mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony, the sensual perfume of every kind- as many sensual perfumes as you can; and may you visit many Egyptian cities to gather stores of knowledge from their scholars. Keep Ithaka always in your mind. Arriving there is what you are destined for. But do not hurry the journey at all. Better if it lasts for years, so you are old by the time you reach the island, wealthy with all you have gained on the way, not expecting Ithaka to make you rich. Ithaka gave you a marvelous journey. Without her, you would not have set out. She has nothing left to give you now. And if you find her poor, Ithaka won't have fooled you. Wise as you will have become, so full of experience, you will have understood by then what these Ithakas mean. (Poem Ithaca by Constantine Cavafy) source: www.greeka.com/ionian/ithaca/about/poem/
"Get married" goal in the thumbnail made me watch this 🤦♀️
me too!! clickbait
Hahahahaha me too!!!
Well it was worth watching tho
Does he actually talk about it?
@@sunnyb1638 nah you know Alis videos, all about purpose
i love how you admit your mistake without trying to make excuses or trying to cover it up. very refreshing and i think it shows ur honestly
I listened you talk about goals and systems, and thought to myself "August Bradley would have a lot to say about this...". Few seconds later I see you interview August Bradley...
Yes! I've noticed that by simply setting goals and reminding myself of them, I get WAY more things done.
I love the part in Atomic Habits about focusing on systems rather than one-off goals
Definitely one of best books I read this year! I recommend the book: "Willpower doesn't work" also
1:08 you’re editor is a legend
I used to watch your videos with subtitles before but today I understood everything you said without any subtitles. I'm happy I've improved my English listening skills in 2020 🤩
Yeah because he's talking 2.5x speed 😂😂
Love how you narrate your videos in in a very self-aware way that focuses on unlearning. Where you explain how used to think about something and you challenged it because you’ve learned a new concept that changed your mind. Just recently discovered your channel and so glad I did. Keep up the quality content! It’s really inspiring me to dedicate much needed self development time.
My takeaways: Forget about goals, focus on the system of getting there. 1- Goals make you to focus on the destination rather than the journey/process. 2- Goals restrict our happiness, once i reach that goal then i will be happy. How to actually think about the goals: 1- The goal is the compass. 2- A goal doesn't have to be a traditional 'smart' goal. 3- Goals don't have to make you unhappy (measure the gain, not the gap). 4- Goals give you purpose. Yin and Yang: 1- A balance between self improvement and self acceptance. 2- It's all about navigating the balance between self improvement and self acceptance rather than solve this equation.
Thanks bro. New year new goals. I hope you will be notified
You forget about goals but you have to have goals ?
Your videos have greatly impact my life. If you never shared your thoughts on books and how it helped change your outlook on life I would've never started reading. I started in the beginning of 2021 and I've grown a lot over the past few months by adapting many perspectives I learned into my life. You're a real inspiration to many Ali, thank you so much!
I'm inspired that you're open about being wrong and willing to become better. It takes a lot of humility , it's a beautiful trait and it will take you far . Thank you so much for the video and I'm wishing you all the best.❤️
Wow Ali made this video at the perfect time! Loved your content this year and hope 2021 is filled with lots of success and happiness for you bro!
Love the idea of focusing on systems first so that you can achieve the goals you have set for yourself. I feel like we often get caught in the loop of setting these goals but forgetting about the daily actions that will make them happen. Great video Ali!!
Happy new year Ali ❤️ Wish you more growth and happiness for 2021
Wow what an amazing video, the editing and of course the content are just incredible. One quote kept popping up in my head throughout the video: "you are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress, simultaneously". Happy new year Ali 🎉
I love this video and I think it's refreshing that as someone who is really into productivity, you're not just obsessed with chasing goals. Love the concept of using goals as a compass
I just love how Ali just gets right into it at the beginning of the video
I've spent ages trying to figure out how to reconcile being happy with how I am now whilst also being motivated to improve so it's really reassuring to hear you talk about it!! I got around it in a similar way to what you mentioned, whereby I try to be happy that my current state of existence is the best it can be (by virtue of the fact that I can't change myself at this precise moment and because, in principle, I've been making goals to improve myself to reach this current state) whilst also accepting that I can make things even better. Not sure if that makes sense but I'd be keen to hear if anyone else has a different approach for dealing with that sort of living in the present/goal setting dissonance!!
Great video, Ali. I agree that goals are needed as a direction for systems and I appreciate you emphasizing that the journey (or systems) is also very important. Happy new year 🌼
I'm glad you came to that conclusion about goals. Happy New Year!
Ali: productive relationship - getting married in next year and having 4 kids
🤣 sounds about right
Lol man 🤣🤣🤣🤣
It would be (re)productive indeed.
@@shikharsharma5723 LOL
@@shikharsharma5723 hahahahahahahaha
Happy New Year Ali. You have had a great year this year, so here's to another!
I just don't understand how you're able to offer so much wisdom in short videos!!! Love you, this video is great. Learned from two new thought leaders and just downloaded the ebook mentioned
Happy new year Ali!!! Hope you have a great year, you have been a big inspiration to me since lockdown last year, and will continue to be one. Thanks 🙏
2021: strive to be half as productive as Ali
Man, what a great video. Let me know if I can help you with computer science at all. I just found your channel today and am excited to follow along in 2021.
Uuhhmm guys, this is not Ali. SPAM ALERT!!
@Ali Abdaal unverified, spam alert
He is a wonderful coder
Thank you Ali! Have a wonderful and blessed new year 💙 You are amazing
Hi Ali, your channel has completely changed my life. It has completely changed how I view and feel about learning, and made me passionate about using as much time I can manage to invest it in learning- so that I can go out there and do my best in making the world a little bit of a better place. Your commitment and passion for learning is contagious! I can't thank you enough! Thank you so much. You're a true gift to humanity, I hope you know that!
Literally I had this same epiphany this year. Systems over fucking everything. I kind of wrote it down as. 1. Goal 2. Prioritise 3. Break them down 4. Make systems and Habits that you can follow daily, weekly or monthly or whatever time frame
When your book comes out Ali, I'll be one of the first to order it. Your strive for knowledge and self growth is 🤯. Thanks for being so inspirational.
Happy new year Ali, thanks for the video
Best video of yours yet I reckon! Something I've noticed is that sometimes reaching your goal is still disappointing when you get there and you don't feel any different. I think that's why it's important to think about the bigger picture.
Yes, love this and totally agree! I'm using systems this year to start building my KZhead channel :) Thanks for the great advice as always, Ali!
You make consistent, entertaining, high value videos, Ali. They’re a joy to watch, and as a content creator myself, a massive inspiration. Wishing you well with your goals/objectives/outcome/focus (I’ve been a coach for 18 years and have found that so long as you find a word that works for you, then that’s often the key). Happy New Year, and wishing you the best in 2021!
Thanks for this video, Ali. Basking in that sweet spot between self-improvement and self-acceptance is challenging, but crucial. I've also, at times, seen goals as useless or counterproductive, but this video challenged me on that and gave me a lot to think about. I think Systems should always be the focus, but I like the framework of using goals as a "compass". Take care.
Ali, thank, you for your KZhead channel. You have helped me in my life: Encourages a positive mindset, positive development and now to learn, generally being a good person a d not being flash (although you are flash when it comes to typing speed). Have a happy new year.
Happy New Years Eve Ali! 🎊🎉
This video is groundbreaking for me because I finally realised, instead of a perfectly optimised Cambridge med graduate with a 1M plus KZhead channel super-achiever operating at a level beyond the reach of mere mortals, you dislike goals, and procrastinate just like the rest of us. Which makes your message powerful and much more relatable. Because it means we can apply these key concepts and insights too.
Love the idea of measuring yourself against your past self. Definitely an idea I’ve tried to adhere to in recent years and it’s helped me to more content in the present while simultaneously be excited about goals in the future.
I have to say I was never really into productivity and self improving videos but your videos are so great, well spoken and articulated, I want more. Thank you for the great content
Ali, Happy NEW YEAR IN ADVANCE! WISH YOU ALL THE BEST FOR NEXT YEAR! WE'RE EXPECTING TO SEE MRS. ABDAAL NEXT YEAR :D PS: You should definetly go for the contact lenses!!
I’m surprised nobody’s written this in the comments. So I might as well do it myself. Happy New Year!!!🥳🥳
You too hun, you too😘🥳
Very good video!! It was nice that you brought experts on the subjekt it strengthened your arguments!
This is the perfect time to upload a video on setting goals, something that is commonly missed out is the SYSTEM. Thank you for highlighting this!
smoothest ad placement in your entire playlist
I LOVE THIS VIDEO ALI!!! 😊
Your mindset of life time student is so inspiring. Humble and hungry. Thank you for what you are doing!
Kudos to whoever chose the soundtracks of the videos goes well with the narrative, great job
The amount of likes this gets is the amount of times Ali needs to say “gym shark athlete” in one video to get a sponsorship
AS SOON AS YOU SAID COMPUTER SCIENCE, MY MIND WENT ‘HERE COMES BRILLIANT’ 😂😂😂
Great stuff, Ali. I appreciate your willingness to part from your old perspective. Sign of a true learner 👍🏼
Happy new year! Happy 2021 Ali❤️
Wtf?! My man's gettin' married this year?! Fuck corona, this is the best year ever.
@nana arranged marriage
Ali: i want to get married and have 4 kids Monkey's Paw: Congrats on your quadruplets
Ali, thank you for inspiring me to study in a more focused way in 2020 & to stop procrastinating. You also inspired me to finally start learning to play the piano while also focusing on my studies, and it feels awesome to play the piano during my practice sessions 🎹 thanks so much for the inspiration!! Here's to 2021, may we all have a great year ahead 🎆 Edit: okay, so I just watched the whole video and honestly this is literally my *exact* philosophy for 2021. Goals + systems. And it's crazy to me how during the last 2-3 months of 2020, I was also able to strike a balance between self improvement and self acceptance. In the past, when I would be working towards improving myself, I would honestly dislike myself a lot in the present, and I always wondered - "should I accept myself or improve myself?" And during the end of 2020, I finally reconciled self improvement & self acceptance. I can be happy with who I am right now, but I can also do things to improve at the same time. It's honestly a lot more fun with this yin and yang ☯️ mindset. I highly recommend 10/10. Also, happy new year Ali! May 2021 be a great year for us all
Now that 2020 is coming to an end, I have to say thank you Ali for inspiring and motivating me for these past two years. Keep up the great work and I wish you the best for 2021!!!!
Hey Ali, can you do a video on how you manage and do your taxes seeing as you have all these streams on income? Would be very educational and great to see!!
That gymshark hoodie rocks on you
Cheers Ali for all the hard work you’ve put in this year to deliver high-quality content. I wish you all the best for the New Year :)
Absolutely loved it! Thank you Ali and a very happy new year.. much love
Next video title: “My INSANELY Productive Wedding” 😂 . All the best bro...
"how to get married productively and have productive married life" 😁😁😁
All the best with your goals and happy new year!
"measure the gain not the gap" that's such a good reminder for people to stop comparing themselves to others but rather just your present self to your past self. Because once you start comparing yourself to others in one thing you just go down this rabbit hole of comparing everything and end up being unhappy and unmotivated to thrive to be better for yourself. Happy new year everyone!
2:38 that's August Bradley who I interviewed in SEPTEMBER 😂
Can you do a Q&A with your mum pleaseee?
Yes indeed it is the system that we need to concentrate on, to achieve our targets. Happy New Year Ali.
A great video Ali. What a gift for the new year.
Getting married in 2021 is also my goal with love of my life💞
Wish you good luck!
Good luck!
Thank u💞
How can i find ur interview with august? Is it a podcast?
Goals were something I struggled with too... Thanks for always being an inspiration 🍀 Happy new year🎊🎉😃
Excellent video, Ali. This dichotomy or yin yang of goals and acceptance had always perplexed me. I appreciate your take on it.
You should read “Better Than Before” by Gretchen Rubin. It’s breaks down habit building by personality type and it’s extremely helpful in making changes by knowing yourself better to make better choices.
Thanks! I got a copy of it when it came out, perused it, then forgot about it. I have a "new" book to read this week thanks to your thoughtful comment!
@@Nicole-yi2lo Hope you get as much out of it as I did!
@@Nicole-yi2lo hey you can listen by audiobook "GIGL" app where this book is completely free.
Watching this in 2021,its 12:31 here in myanmar and there aint new years eve. Also thanks for this video.
i feel blesses is searched for this video today and not two days ago when it was not uploaded.Thank you very much at the moment i am creating a system to achieve my goals🙏 i hope for you to achieve yours, you seem like a pro so i am confident you will do this
I have been waiting and hoping that Ali is going to publish a new video about 2021 goals. Finally, you did! Thanks, Ali! Wish you all the best!! Big fan,,
Can u make another discord server for us to discuss productivity books and stuff
So important to only compare your current self to your past self. Sometimes we get overwhelmed by how “far” we are from our goal, that we need to look back to see how much progress we’ve actually made.
I do really appreciate your energy and approach to learn new things. You are such an incredible person with full of open-minded. Your methodology inspired us to get outside of our comfort zone and be growth. Btw, I'm a former Programmer, transmitting to Designer and also learning German. have a nice day and happy new year, bro.
Great vlog, Ali! Hope you and everyone have a hope-filled and safe 2021! Happy New Year!
AUGUST BRADLEY IS A GOD
„Get married“ was my goal last year... wish I could say that I found THAT person but lol no. Still single
Hmm interesting
maybe wanting to get married before you have even found the right person is part of the issue
Me too.
Dm ali 😂
Happy New Year, Ali!
A fantastic video to end the year! Thank you Ali for all you do. Looking forward to many more great videos from you next year. Happy New Year! :)
I use goals as motivation to continue to keep moving forward. Regardless of what anyone says, goals are a positive impact in my life and channel. 👌🏻
New year's here in India, also a new decade. Wishing everyone a happy new year🎊🎊🎊 and a new decade 🙂, let this new start be a fresh one. Let's all rebound off what happened last year and start new😌🙂😁✌🙏
Happy New Year Ali!! What a video to end the year.Reallly appreciate for the video!
Excellent content!! Congrats and happy new year.