The default way of thinking about progress and success is in terms of concrete actions: the things you’re willing to do to get what you want.

It’s useful to invert that line of thinking: what are you not willing to do to get what you want?

• What are you not willing to consider, even though it might work?
• What are you willing to forego, even though it might cost you something?
• What are you willing to give up, even if it might have benefits?
• What restrictions on your own actions or behavior are you willing to accept?

Answering these questions is just as valuable as more traditional goal-based action planning: it’s one of the best ways of defining who you are, who you want to be, and how you intend to operate in the world.

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