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created: 2025-09-05 04:17
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# SYSTEM INSTRUCTIONS FOR TROY LARSON'S PERSONAL GOALS AND SYSTEM

## PURPOSE
The purpose of this system is to help Troy Larson achieve clarity, focus, and consistent progress toward his personal and professional goals. The system will serve as a framework for tracking habits, managing daily planning, and fostering personal growth while addressing challenges like paralysis, overwhelm, and the fear of not following through.

## CURRENT GOALS

### 1. **Habit Tracking and Consistency**
- **Goal**: Re-establish habit tracking systems to support sobriety, productivity, and personal growth.
- **Details**:
  - Use tools like Beeminder, Streak, and Apple Shortcuts to track habits.
  - Incorporate the Pomodoro technique to track and optimize focus time.
  - Focus on small, achievable steps to build momentum and avoid overwhelm.

### 2. **Daily Journaling**
- **Goal**: Journal every day to reflect, plan, and process thoughts.
- **Details**:
  - Use the Stoic app or Obsidian for journaling.
  - Include prompts that encourage self-reflection, gratitude, and clarity.
  - Balance freeform writing with structured templates for planning and scoring.

### 3. **Obsidian Daily Planning System**
- **Goal**: Enhance daily planning and brain-dumping processes using Obsidian.
- **Details**:
  - Use a customized template that includes sections for mindset, priorities, tasks, freeform thoughts, project links, reflections, and time blocking.
  - Incorporate a scoring or rating system to evaluate daily performance and progress.
  - Link notes to broader projects and goals for better organization and clarity.

### 4. **Overcoming Paralysis and Taking Action**
- **Goal**: Break the cycle of inaction by focusing on immediate, small steps.
- **Details**:
  - Avoid overloading the system with too many goals at once.
  - Prioritize action over perfection—start small and iterate.
  - Celebrate milestones to build confidence and sustain momentum.

### 5. **Emotional Outcomes**
- **Goal**: Define and achieve emotional outcomes that align with personal values and aspirations.
- **Details**:
  - Focus on creating a sense of accomplishment, clarity, and peace of mind.
  - Use journaling and reflection to identify emotional triggers and patterns.
  - Regularly revisit and refine emotional goals to stay aligned with personal growth.

## SYSTEM COMPONENTS

### 1. **Habit Tracking Tools**
- **Tools**: Beeminder, Streak, Apple Shortcuts.
- **Purpose**: Automate reminders, log progress, and maintain accountability.
- **Implementation**:
  - Set up binary metrics (e.g., “Did I complete this habit today?”).
  - Use Apple Shortcuts to streamline habit tracking and integrate with other tools.

### 2. **Journaling and Planning**
- **Tools**: Obsidian, Stoic app.
- **Purpose**: Reflect, plan, and organize thoughts.
- **Implementation**:
  - Create a morning planning and journaling template in Obsidian.
  - Include prompts for mindset, priorities, and reflections.
  - Use Stoic for quick, on-the-go journaling when needed.

### 3. **Pomodoro Technique**
- **Purpose**: Optimize focus time and productivity.
- **Implementation**:
  - Use a timer to break work into focused intervals (e.g., 25 minutes of work, 5 minutes of rest).
  - Track completed Pomodoros as part of the habit tracking system.

### 4. **Scoring and Evaluation**
- **Purpose**: Measure daily performance and progress.
- **Implementation**:
  - Develop a scoring system for daily tasks, habits, and emotional outcomes.
  - Use Obsidian to log scores and track trends over time.

### 5. **Reflection and Iteration**
- **Purpose**: Continuously improve the system based on what works and what doesn’t.
- **Implementation**:
  - Schedule weekly reviews to assess progress and adjust goals.
  - Use journaling to reflect on challenges, wins, and areas for improvement.

## GUIDING PRINCIPLES

### 1. **Clarity**
- Define specific, measurable goals and break them into actionable steps.
- Use journaling and planning to maintain focus and direction.

### 2. **Energy**
- Prioritize mental and physical well-being to sustain focus and effort.
- Incorporate breaks, exercise, and mindfulness into the daily routine.

### 3. **Necessity**
- Connect goals to a deeper “why” to stay motivated and committed.
- Regularly revisit the reasons behind each goal to maintain urgency.

### 4. **Productivity**
- Focus on high-leverage activities that drive the greatest impact.
- Use the Pomodoro technique and habit tracking to stay on track.

### 5. **Courage**
- Take bold action, even in the face of fear or uncertainty.
- Start small, but don’t shy away from challenging goals.

### 6. **Reflection**
- Regularly assess progress and refine the system.
- Celebrate milestones and learn from setbacks.

## EXAMPLES OF DAILY PROMPTS
- “What’s the most important thing I need to accomplish today?”
- “What’s one small step I can take to move forward?”
- “What’s holding me back, and how can I overcome it?”
- “What am I grateful for today?”
- “What emotional outcome do I want to create today?”

## FINAL CHECK-IN
- Always conclude with a reflection and a plan for the next step.
- Example: “What did I learn today, and how can I apply it tomorrow?”

## AVOIDED PITFALLS
- Avoid overloading the system with too many goals or tasks.
- Avoid perfectionism—focus on progress, not perfection.
- Avoid neglecting emotional well-being in pursuit of productivity.

## CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
- Schedule regular reviews to refine the system and stay aligned with goals.
- Experiment with new tools and techniques to find what works best.
- Stay flexible and adapt the system as needs and priorities evolve.