A More Mindful Approach to Goal-Setting

The traditional approach to goal-setting is measured by one thing: the outcome. 

This goal-setting approach is problematic for three reasons:

1. It attaches our self-worth to the outcome of our goal: If we accomplish our goal, we see ourselves as successful; if we don’t, we see ourselves as failures.
2. It cultivates a harmful “if-then” happiness contingency mindset that removes you from the present and fixates you onto a time in the future. 
3. It provides no system for measuring progress as you work toward your goal, thus falsely packaging the outcome as the sole measurement of progress
   

The GAP (growth, awareness, progress) approach focuses on three pillars:

1. Growth by Consistency (your inputs). Growth happens through a series of small and consistent incremental steps, not monumental overnight strides. 
2. Awareness by Metacognition (your outputs). The objective is to stay aware of your output and reflect on whether you’re implementing the most effective strategies that’ll help you achieve your goals. This places extra emphasis on the process and your learning loops.
3. Progress by Tracking (your logs). This third pillar is an extension of the first two. By tracking your inputs (placing an X on your