Hey Reader,

You’ve probably heard a lot about setting SMART goals, creating systems, and building habits that lead to success.

But what if I told you that focusing only on what you want could leave you vulnerable to what you don’t want?

Today, I want to introduce a concept that’s reshaping the way I think about goals: Anti-Goals.

What are anti-goals?

The idea of anti-goals was first introduced by Andrew Wilkinson, the co-founder of Tiny, and it’s rooted in a powerful mental model called inversion.

Inversion flips the typical problem-solving approach on its head. Instead of asking, “How do I succeed?” you ask, “How do I avoid failure?”

Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett’s long-time business partner, put it perfectly:

Anti-goals work the same way.

✅ Goals help you define what success looks like.

❌ Anti-goals help you define what failure looks like—so you can avoid it.

Most people focus entirely on what they want, but they don’t stop to think about what they don’t want.

And sometimes, achieving the wrong goal can be worse than never reaching it at all.

Why You Need Anti-Goals

It’s easy to get caught up in chasing success without realizing the unintended consequences.

Imagine building a thriving business that generates millions… but you’re constantly stressed, burned out, and barely see your family.

Or landing that dream promotion… only to realize the job demands leave you exhausted, disconnected, and wondering if it was worth it.

Anti-goals act as guardrails to keep you from drifting into outcomes that undermine the very life you’re trying to build.

The Anti-Goal Method

So, how do you put this into practice? Here’s a simple method that helps you create anti-goals that protect your time, energy, and well-being:

1. Choose Your Focus and Goals

Start by choosing the area where you want to improve or achieve results. This could be:

• Your career or business
• Personal growth or learning
• Health and fitness
• Relationships or family life

Pick a specific arena where you’re setting goals and striving for growth.

Set your desired outcomes. These are the goals you’re already familiar with.

For example:

• Deliver a high-impact project that positions me as a thought leader.
• Exercise 4 times a week to build strength and boost energy.
• Earn a promotion to a senior leadership role.

Clear, ambitious goals give you direction—but they don’t tell the full story.

2. Define What Failure Looks Like

Now it’s time to ask:

• What would make me regret pursuing this goal?
• What systems, habits, or outcomes would make success feel hollow or unsustainable?

This is where you identify what you don't want to happen.

This exercise helped me to see the scenarios in my work and life that don't feel sustainable or enjoyable to pursue.

3. Write Down Your Anti-Goals

Create anti-goals that protect against those worst-case scenarios. These are the things you’ll actively avoid while pursuing your goals.

For example:

✅ Goal: Deliver a high-impact project that positions me as a thought leader.
❌ Anti-Goal: Avoid spending hours on unnecessary meetings or tasks that don’t contribute to meaningful progress.

✅ Goal: Exercise 4 times a week to build strength and boost energy.
❌ Anti-Goal: Avoid pushing myself so hard that I risk injury or burn out, making consistency unsustainable.

✅ Goal: Earn a promotion to a senior leadership role.
❌ Anti-Goal: Never let work demands consume so much of my time that I lose touch with my family and health.

As you set your next big goal, don’t just think about where you want to go. Think about where you don’t want to end up.

Set your goals. Define your anti-goals. And step by step, build a life where you are excited to wake up to each day doing what you love.

To your success,

Laurie 🙌

P.S. Hit reply and let me know—what’s one anti-goal you’re setting for yourself this year? I’d love to hear from you!

🎥 How I Stopped Overthinking

In my latest video, I share how I broke free from overthinking and regained control over my work and life by focusing on what truly matters.

After testing 4 evidence-backed methods, I learned how to set mental boundaries, move past analysis paralysis, and make decisions with confidence.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in endless loops of overthinking, this video is for you. Let me know which of these methods resonates with you—and which one you’re ready to try in your own life.

Thanks for reading and being part of this growing community. See you in the next newsletter!

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