Lesson Three · 4 of 13

Set Your Impossible Goal

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My notes

Jot things down as you listen

“
This goal would be impossible unless…

Step 1 — What future would you genuinely love to create? Write from want, not should.

Step 2 — State it concretely. A specific number, a specific outcome, yes or no.

Step 3 — Your aggressive deadline. What date, and why that date?

Step 4 — Could you reach it by working harder, hiring more or spending more? If yes, raise the goal here.

Step 5 — Write your honest reaction. Does it produce 'there is no way I could do that'? If not, push it further.

Step 6 — This goal would be impossible unless… (list every possibility, however wild).

Step 7 — Non-linear pathways: partnerships, distribution, licensing, acquisition, investors, media, automation.

Step 8 — What does this goal cut? List what you will eliminate, delegate, automate or delete.

Step 9 — Given that future destination, what would need to be true right now? What would you be doing today?

Step 10 — How has this changed the way you are thinking about your work?

Step 1 — Start with what you actually want, from desire rather than should. Business outcomes tend to fund the dream life.
Step 2 — Make the outcome extremely concrete: a clean yes or no, not 'grow my company'.
Step 3 — Give it an aggressive deadline. The deadline exists to make you ask better questions.
Step 4 — Test your existing strategy. If more effort, more hires or more ad spend could reach it, it is not impossible.
Step 5 — Push until you hit the 'I don't know how' threshold. Confidence is a warning sign.
Step 6 — Ask: 'This goal would be impossible unless…' and generate possibilities instead of lowering the bar.
Step 7 — Look for non-linear pathways: partnerships, distribution, licensing, acquisition, media, automation.
Step 8 — Use the goal to eliminate, not to add. It is a giant pair of scissors: eliminate, delegate, automate or delete.
Step 9 — Let the future dictate the present. Flip the question from 'what can I realistically do?' to 'what would need to be true?'
Step 10 — The goal is meant to change how you think. Failing to hit it exactly is fine.
Parkinson's law: work fills the time you allot it, so shorten the timeline.