even the most insane goal can be achieved with this method

Key wellness, self-care, and productivity takeaways (Mandala Goal Setting Method)

Mandala goal setting framework

• Decompose any major goal into a hierarchy
  • Start with a simple 3x3 grid
    • Write your main goal in the center
    • Fill the 8 surrounding squares with the key components/steps required to achieve it
  • Expand to a 9x9 “Mandala” grid
    • For each of the 8 components, build another 3x3 grid around it
    • Put the corresponding component in the middle of each outer 3x3 grid

Use an example mindset

Example main goals:

• “Build the best personal agent hardware in the world” (real example)
• “Get a first / top grades” (simplified example)

Example component actions (for studying/top grades):

• “Study 30 minutes per day”
• “Read a book every week”
• “Watch a lecture series every month”
• “Write more essays / practice persuasive writing”
• “Write and solve problems beyond the textbook”
• “Allocate time to relax” (explicitly included as a driver)

Choosing the “8 key drivers” (the most important part)

• Pick things that are manifestly meaningful—not just “nice to have”
• Make the 8 items reasonably distinct (avoid duplicating the same objective)
• You don’t need to get it perfect immediately
  • Brain-dump as many as possible, then narrow down to the most impactful
  • Iterate as you learn what actually moves the needle

Rules to validate whether a component/step is good

• Make it checkable / tickable
  • Prefer binary or bounded behaviors like:
    • “Study 30 minutes per day” (did it / didn’t it)
  • Avoid vague, unbounded targets like:
    • “Ask more questions in class” (you can always increase)
• Ensure the outcome is under your control
  • Avoid goals you can’t directly control (example given):
    • “Get 10 million views/month”
  • Use controllable inputs instead:
    • “Put out two Instagram videos every day”

Implementation strategy (avoid overwhelm)

• After building the full 9x9, you’ll have 64 actions
  • Don’t try to do everything immediately (common pitfall: freezing or doing nothing)
• Pick the highest-leverage actions
  • Aim to select one item from each outer box
  • Look for synergies where one action helps multiple areas
• Staged rollout schedule
  • Week 1: choose 5–8 priorities
  • Week 2: keep those and add another 5–8
  • Continue this incremental process over 8–12 weeks until you’ve incorporated everything

Calendar + execution tactics

• Put the actions directly into your week
  • Example: “Instead of just ‘study 30 minutes,’ schedule when you’ll study”
  • Example: decide what you’ll do immediately after coming home / after class
• Use the current wave of motivation after mapping your chart
• Track with physical checklists and tangible tick-offs

Core reminder

• The mandala will likely need updating as priorities and goals change
• Reuse the method repeatedly for future goals

Presenters / sources

• Erin (creator of the video; presenter)