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Aug 12
34m 59s

#51 - Stop Setting Goals Like This | Sel...

Shona Vertue
About this episode

We’re pretty good at deciding what we want. The harder part is working out why we want it, whether the goal actually belongs to us, and what we need to do today to move towards it.

In this episode, I break down my approach to values, goals, strategy and action, exploring the psychology of self-concordance, behavioural activation and motivation, and how I use this framework to create a realistic morning routine when life is already full.

I also introduce Weekly Friction, where this week I’m questioning when social media stops being work and starts becoming scrolling.


Research:

  • Sheldon, K. M., & Elliot, A. J. (1999). Goal striving, need satisfaction, and longitudinal well-being: The Self-Concordance Model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 76(3), 482–497.
    DOI: 10.1037/0022-3514.76.3.482
  • Sezer, B., et al. (2025). Goal motives, goal-regulatory processes, psychological needs, and well-being: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Motivation Science, 11(3), 259–276.
    DOI: 10.1037/mot0000366


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