As we move away from the start of the year, we are reaching the end of all the articles on goal setting. I often wonder how many people stick to these goals, or are they just another metric to beat yourself with?Â
Another factor I noticed mentioned a lot this month is how many people who reached their ultimate goal have now decided that it wasn't what they thought it would be and have changed plans.Â
For this reason, I urge you all to pick your North Star carefully. Your North Star should be your ultimate goal, the mountain's summit. But to pick this, you have to be specific, or you could make the mistake these two YouTubers have.Â
Ali Abdaal
Ali Abdaal is a thirty-one-year-old British YouTuber, doctor, and online educator with over five million subscribers.Â
He gained fame for his content on productivity, studying techniques, and lifestyle.Â
Ali holds a medical degree from the University of Cambridge and has combined his medical background with a passion for helping others achieve their goals.Â
He shares insights on learning strategies and personal development through his YouTube channel, reaching a broad audience.
However, recently, he produced a video about how he wasn't happy with his life and that it didn't fulfil him. He has now changed his North Star to being able to work three days a week.Â
Some would question whether he should have learned his lesson; this is the second time his North Star has changed. When he qualified as a doctor, he decided to be a YouTuber, and now his channel is doing well, he wants something new.Â
Matt D'AvellaÂ
Abdaal is not alone; another star of the YouTube world made a similar video recently about changing his North Star.Â
D'Avella's work revolves around personal development, productivity, and intentional living.Â
With a passion for minimalist principles, Matt D'Avella continues to inspire others to prioritise what truly matters. However, since the birth of his son, he has found what doesn't matter is managing people.Â
He is trimming down his workforce and returning to working as a solo creator.Â
Finding a North Star
Both of these show us the importance of picking the right North Star or putting some thought into it.Â
What do you want to accomplish with your writing? I could state that I want to write full-time, but how specific is this? More specific would be to work out what weekly rate I need to make to cover my outgoings.Â
You want to make X every week from writing to go full-time.Â
But would writing full-time make you happy, and what is a measure of happiness? You should ask all these questions when writing your goals and setting a North Star.Â
Look back at the goals you set this month. Is your North Star realistic, and can you genuinely say once you accomplish it, you will be happy?Â
What is your North Star?Â