Your goals are probably boring

A more entertaining way to set goals—because “exercise more” just won’t cut it.

I didn’t plan to write about goal-setting this week. But, well… here’s what happened: This morning, I sat down in my cozy reading chair, set a 15-minute timer for some free writing, and wrote down the date. March 31st. Huh. Time to change, I need to inspire people to plan for the next month or this year. Wait, what? Too late? It’s only the end of March!

Every month, I start with the best of intentions. “This is the month I drink enough water to have glowing skin, wake up before the sun, and finally work out daily”. But then, life happens. By week two, my greatest achievement? “Woke up before 7 AM.”

But here’s where it gets fun: Have you ever stumbled upon an old list of goals? It’s a comedy goldmine. Especially if, like me, you have a habit of misplacing notebooks like they’re meant to be part of a scavenger hunt.

I’ve written plans, ripped them out, assumed they were lost forever—only to find them years later, tucked inside a book I swore I’d never reread. And let’s not forget: I am a minimalist. Which means I’ve actually thrown away a bunch of old notebooks. I wish I still had the ones from when I was seven or eight. Imagine the gems in there.

Since this cycle of setting, forgetting, and rediscovering goals is inevitable, why not make it entertaining?

Instead of a cold, lifeless to-do list, write a letter to Future You with the enthusiasm of someone who still believes in magic.

“Dear Future Me, I assume you now have abs, a nice garden, and a well-organized closet. If not, what have you been doing? Also, did we ever figure out what kombucha actually is?”

Future You will either be impressed or deeply concerned. Either way, it’s a win.

When setting goals, imagine how Future You will react upon reading them. Proud? Amused? Embarrassed? If a goal doesn’t spark some kind of emotion, it’s probably too boring to bother with.

For example:

❌ Exercise more. (Vague. Will be ignored.)

✅ Train for a zombie apocalypse by running 3K without stopping.

A runner fights to survive as zombies chase him through the Run for Your Lives race—a 5K packed with obstacles… and the undead. Read here.

Ditch dull phrasing. Make your goals sound like epic quests. Instead of “eat healthier,” try “Discover five meals that taste amazing but won’t ruin my life.” Instead of “save money,” go with “Master the ancient art of not buying dumb stuff.”

Future You will be much more excited to participate.

And this is why you shouldn’t take planning too seriously:

Life is unpredictable. No matter how well you plan, the future will always have surprises in store.

The only thing you truly know is the present. My present is typing these words; yours is reading them. Five years ago, I had no idea I’d be married, living somewhere new, doing completely different work, and growing flowers. My past self would be shocked. I was the kind of person who, if I started a garden, would only grow things I could eat.

And my husband, 7 years ago, when he boarded a plane to study in Austria with his then-girlfriend, do you think he had a plan to marry someone completely different three years later and move back home?

That’s the thing about planning!! It moves you forward, but you never really know where you’ll end up. So dream big, make it wild, and pack it with so much inspiration that it pulls you forward faster. Don’t stress too much about the destination.

Tell me - what’s the funniest or most ridiculous goal you’ve ever set for yourself? Did Future You follow through, or did they conveniently "forget"?

Drop a comment below, share this with a friend who needs a little goal setting inspiration (or just a good laugh), and let’s make sure Future Us has something entertaining to look back on!

Hey, and if your life looks exactly like your five-year-old plan. Well, my friend, you might be a little boring. No offense, but where’s the adventure? Where’s the plot twist? Let’s spice things up a little!

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I’m glad you’re here. See you.

— Jess