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Ask HN: How do you approach personal goal tracking systems?

6 points by BOOSTERHIDROGEN ↗ HN
Based on this blog post https://jacobian.org/2024/apr/4/not-writing-about-productivity/, the author has unfortunately decided to discontinue writing about this topic. I hope there will be a good discussion here. Many people struggle to make progress on long-term goals because they lack a personal system for getting things done. Sometimes, as with this person, the work tracking system provided by their employer aligns with their way of thinking, allowing them to complete assigned tasks. However, they often struggle to make progress on personal priorities or long-term career goals that cannot be managed with their work tracking system.

6 comments

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kingkongjaffa
I have used bullet journaling in various forms for about 12 years, ever since Evernote had a collab with Moleskine and then Evernote went to shit, but I kept up the habit of pen and paper note taking and journaling.

The idea of a future log for your next 6-12 months and then Monthly planning to work towards it, and then weekly planning to make the monthly stuff happen is almost automatic at this point.

Plus being able to look back at the entire year and see what you did and how each goal is progressing is really great.

https://bulletjournal.com/blogs/faq/how-to-start-a-bullet-jo...

PS Don't buy a Moleskine though, they are poor quality now. Get a Leuchtturm1917 instead.

I have tried most todo list apps, from Obsidian, Todoist, Trello, Bear, Notion etc.

bhu1st
> they lack a personal system for getting things done

What kind of system? Can you elaborate?

BOOSTERHIDROGEN
Perhaps a more effective approach is to thoughtfully design your personal system, much like you would design for work.
matt_s
Personal tracking of goals is going to need to be, well, personal. Sounds dumb and obvious but reading how others do things can only give you ideas to try. You must try them out though. I found digital tracking systems for personal goals don’t work well for me, having something physical in front of me works better. I’ve tried bullet journaling after being mesmerized by the elaborate journals people create with multiple colors, etc. and that doesn’t suit my personality. I’m more practical. Simple todo lists with pen/paper.

Work tracking systems from employers usually have the planning and organizing element being done by other people with lists of tickets/issues left as artifacts for developers to pick up. Maybe try an approach where you spend time organizing and planning items for a personal goal in a way where you the implementor can just “pick up” tasks as if it was someone else assigning them to you.

The thing that has worked most recently for me was using techniques from Atomic Habits. I added a new solid hygiene habit and feel immensely successful. I haven’t found success for other changes, (yet!). It is hard, especially when there are no external motivators (employer wanting results, etc.) Small progress is going to be the norm. Changing too many things at once is likely to fail.