Julian’s Patented Pretty-Sure-He-Didn’t-Steal-It-From-Somewhere-Else-But-Sorry-If-He-Did Goals Exercise
Hello Sternal Journalists,
SCHEDULING NOTE: This is the SternJourn that should have gone out on Sunday, June 2nd. Last week’s was late due to travel and Memorial Day, so I’m half-stepping this week to catch up and everything will be BACK to normal this Sunday (tomorrow). Apologies for any inconvenience!1
With the perhaps disruptive off-cycle nature of this SternJourn in mind, this one will be quick and it will be maybe a (figurative!) gift for you? Of course, if you’re just a rec-head, scroll on down! Otherwise, keep reading!
Julian’s Patented Pretty-Sure-He-Didn’t-Steal-It-From-Somewhere-Else-But-Sorry-If-He-Did Goals Exercise
I have a day job right now that I very much enjoy where I get to lead various creative groups, some of which are writing groups. I often am trying to tailor the session to the energy of the group, and through that, I’ve created a couple exercises myself. One of my favorites goes as follows.
Set a timer for five minutes (I mean read the rest of these directions first)
During this five minutes, you will write down five goals
These goals do not have to be related to each other at all. It’s okay if they are, but it is not a requirement.
But there IS another requirement. Each of these goals must be for a different (specific) timeframe: 1) Today, 2) a week from now, 3) a month from now, 4) a year from now, and 5) a decade from now. So it should look like:
Day goal:
Week goal:
Month goal:
Year goal:
Decade goal:
NOW start the timer and scribble in them goals! If you can’t think of the most important goal, that’s not only okay! It’s good! Just scrawl in a goal that is reasonable for that timeframe within the five minutes.
Once you’ve done that, BAM! You don’t only have five goals. You actually have twenty-five (potential) goals. Because you can look at your decade goal and ask yourself, “What can I do today (or this week or month or year) to achieve that. You can look at the goal for the day and ask yourself, “If I did this every day, where might it get me in a year or a decade?”
I also like that this exercise takes the pressure off of a “crafting the perfect life” mindset that I think we can accidentally fall into when we set goals. I also also like that, whenever I do this, I wind up realizing that something I think I can get done today might actually be more reasonable for the week, or something I think could take a month I might actually get done today.
ANYWAY, that’s the exercise. I think I made it up, but if I accidentally stole it from someone, please tell me. And now:
Recommendations!
The Biggest Ponzi Scheme in Hollywood History. Article. I’m generally bored of scam stories, but I still love most of the ones of the Hollywood go-getter-gone-wrong variety. This one is especially tasty because of the juxtaposition of how bad of a literal screen actor this man was compared to what he was capable of pulling off when defrauding friends.
Tires. Television Show. People have plenty of valid feeling about Shane Gillis, so if you don’t like him, feel free to steer clear. But this workplace comedy that came out of his camp of comic friends and is available on Netflix is a triumph of indie television production that I hope we see more of. One location, like 9 actors, but some solid heart and perspectives and comedy. (Disclaimer: I’ve only seen the pilot!)
Session 22: Glen Powell. Podcast. I’m fascinated by the “no, Glen Powell (Top Gun, Anyone But You) is not a dumb meathead; he’s actually a cool guy” press narrative that is emerging from Powell’s new film, Hitman. This podcast which he seemed to agree to do with a random dude from Powell’s pilates class seems to support that.
Clementine. Song. I got in an argument with a friend recently about whether I actually like Yung Gravy or not, and honestly, I’m not sure. But I know I like this song that borrows the melody of Zac Brown Band’s “Chicken Fried” and has fun with the “chicken fried” production choices.
That’s all! No pleady bumper this week! Literally talk to you very soon, have a great Sunday!
Love!
Julian!
P.S. Here’s a cool paperback of a classic novel, but specifically the edition of it that promoted star-studded motion picture that apparently bombed. I love that.
Is it due to mental illness that I refuse to skip a week because I haven’t done so in over three years? YES. Am I weaponizing that mental illness for good because it has kept me doing something creative that I would have almost certainly otherwise fallen off of? I HOPE SO??