How To Actually Achieve Your Goals in 2025 (Evidence-Based)

Updated: September 10, 2025

Ali Abdaal


Summary

The video presents evidence-based strategies to enhance goal achievement, emphasizing the impact of writing down goals on success rates. It discusses the role of the reticular activating system in prioritizing goals and suggests weekly reviews to optimize its functioning. Mental contrasting is introduced as a technique to visualize goals and obstacles, aiding in effective strategizing. The importance of identifying obstacles, creating plans, and monitoring progress is highlighted for improving goal attainment odds. Connecting goals to personal identity is emphasized to boost commitment and persistence in achieving desired outcomes.


Introduction to Achieving Goals

The speaker introduces five evidence-based strategies to increase the chances of achieving goals. These strategies are simple and can have a significant impact on goal attainment.

Writing Down Goals

The importance of writing down goals is emphasized, backed by scientific evidence showing that individuals who write down their goals are more likely to achieve them.

Using the Reticular Activating System

Explaining how the reticular activating system works in prioritizing goals and focusing on what truly matters to individuals. Weekly review of goals is recommended to harness this system effectively.

Mental Contrasting

Introducing mental contrasting as a technique to visualize goals and identify obstacles, helping individuals strategize to overcome challenges and achieve their desired outcomes.

Obstacle Planning

The significance of identifying obstacles, creating plans to overcome them, and monitoring progress to improve goal attainment odds.

Tying Goals to Identity

Illustrating the importance of connecting goals to personal identity to enhance commitment and persistence in achieving them. Embracing an identity supportive of the desired outcomes is highlighted as a motivational factor.


FAQ

Q: What is the importance of writing down goals?

A: Individuals who write down their goals are more likely to achieve them, as supported by scientific evidence.

Q: How does the reticular activating system help in prioritizing goals?

A: The reticular activating system helps individuals focus on what truly matters to them, thus aiding in prioritizing goals effectively.

Q: What is mental contrasting and how does it aid in goal achievement?

A: Mental contrasting is a technique that helps individuals visualize goals, identify obstacles, and strategize ways to overcome challenges, thereby improving the likelihood of achieving desired outcomes.

Q: Why is it essential to identify obstacles and create plans to overcome them in goal setting?

A: Identifying obstacles and creating plans to overcome them is crucial in improving goal attainment odds by addressing potential challenges proactively.

Q: How does connecting goals to personal identity enhance goal achievement?

A: Connecting goals to personal identity enhances commitment and persistence in achieving them, acting as a motivational factor towards desired outcomes.

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