Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Even the best systems can bring up questions. Here are answers to some common challenges you might face when implementing a goal-achievement journal.
What if I have too many goals? How do I choose?
This is a common and important challenge. The power of the OKR system is that it forces you to prioritize. You should only have 1-2 major Objectives per quarter. An objective should be significant enough that it requires real focus. If you have five big goals, you really have none. Your journal is a great place for a “Someday/Maybe” list. When other exciting ideas pop up, write them down in the back of your journal to revisit during your next quarterly reset. This honors the idea without derailing your current focus. Choose the one goal that, if achieved, would have the most positive impact on your life over the next 90 days.
My goals seem to conflict with each other. What should I do?
Conflicting priorities are a sign of a lack of clarity in your overarching vision. For example, a goal to “aggressively save for a house down payment” might conflict with a goal to “travel to three new countries this year.” The 12-month visioning exercise is crucial here. What is more important to you right now? There is no right answer, only the answer that is right for you. You may need to sequence your goals. Perhaps one quarter is focused on a financial Key Result, and the next quarter is focused on planning a more budget-conscious trip. Your journal helps you make these trade-offs consciously, rather than feeling pulled in two directions at once.
How do I stay motivated when I don’t feel like it?
Motivation is fleeting; systems are reliable. This journaling habit is designed for the days you don’t feel motivated. First, the habit itself is small. Committing to a two-minute journal entry is easy, even on a bad day. Second, your daily actions should be broken down into ridiculously small steps. Instead of “write chapter one,” your action could be “write one paragraph.” This makes it easier to get started. Finally, use your journal to reconnect with your “why.” Reread your 12-month vision. Look back at the last few weeks of entries and see the progress you’ve already made. This act of reviewing past wins is often the spark needed to take the next small step.
Some of my goals are hard to measure. How do I create Key Results?
This often happens with qualitative goals like “be more confident” or “reduce stress.” The key is to translate these feelings into observable behaviors or actions. What would a more confident person do? What actions would a less stressed person take? Instead of a Key Result like “Feel 50% less stressed,” try something like “Meditate for 10 minutes, 3 times per week” or “End my workday by 6 PM every day for a month.” By focusing on the inputs (actions) that you believe will lead to the desired output (feeling), you create a measurable and actionable goal. Your journal then becomes the place to track not only the action, but also its effect on your subjective well-being. For a deeper understanding of behavior change, resources from the National Institutes of Health can provide valuable insights.
