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Step 6

Input Goals Over Output Goals

  • goals
  • habits
  • discipline

A goal gives direction. A trigger starts action. A process makes it repeatable. Tracking makes it real.

The five parts

  1. 1

    Output goal: the result

    Example: I want to lose 50 pounds.

  2. 2

    Input goal: the action

    Example: Every time I eat, I will open my app and log my calories.

  3. 3

    Trigger: when the action starts

    Example: When I sit down to eat, I will open my calorie app.

  4. 4

    Process: the step-by-step behavior

    Example: Open app → search food → log portion → save entry → eat normally.

  5. 5

    Track: how you know you followed through

    Example: At the end of the day, I check whether I logged every meal.

Sleep example

Output(weaker) I want to sleep 8 hours every night.
Input(better) At 9:00 PM, I will start my sleep routine.
TriggerWhen it is 9:00 PM, I plug in my phone away from my bed.
ProcessPlug phone away from bed → brush teeth → change clothes → turn lights low → get in bed.
TrackIn the morning, I write how many hours I slept.
Do not only choose the result. Choose the repeated action.

Exercise

  • What result do you want?
  • What is one action that would move you toward it?
  • When exactly will you do it?
  • What are the steps?
  • How will you track it?

The formula

When [trigger] happens, I will [specific action]. Then I will [track it].
  1. 1When I wake up, I will make my bed before checking my phone. Then I will mark it done.
  2. 2When I feel like doomscrolling, I will stand up and drink water first. Then I will write whether I still want to scroll.
  3. 3When I finish dinner, I will walk for 5 minutes. Then I will check it off.
  4. 4When it is 9 PM, I will start my sleep routine. Then tomorrow I will record how many hours I slept.

Goal Converter

You enter

“I want to lose weight.”

Output goal
Lose weight
Input goal
Log meals
Trigger
Before eating
Process
Open app → log food → save entry
Track
Did I log each meal today?

You enter

“I want to stop wasting time.”

Output goal
Waste less time
Input goal
Start one 10-minute focus block
Trigger
When I notice I am scrolling
Process
Put phone down → open task → work 10 minutes
Track
Did I complete one focus block?

Exercise: Build two of your own

Turn two of your own goals into systems. For each one, name the output goal, the input goal, the trigger, the process, and how you will track it.

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Tiny step

Pick one result you want, then write the input goal, trigger, process, and one way to track it.

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Input Goals Over Output Goals · Pathlight