Dwight: Aiko, I want to explore an idea which I call un-deadlining. It's an idea of how we can contextualize and design our life so that we still have targets which we're able to set and reach consistently, but we're able to do that with burdening ourselves with deadlines.

​​

Aiko: Interesting concept, Dwight! How do you envision un-deadlining working in practice? Are there specific areas of life where you think this approach would be particularly effective?

​

Dwight: It involves a new distinction, which I call a progoal. A progoal, just as with a regular goal that has a deadline, has a target, a result to be achieved. A progoal, however, while dropping the need for a deadline, includes some other conditions that ensures that we will move consistently toward the results that we intend to achieve.

​

Aiko: I see. So, a progoal keeps the focus on the end result but removes the pressure of a deadline. What are the conditions you'd include to ensure consistent progress toward these results?

​

Dwight: Actually, in a way, it doesn't even "keep the focus on the end result," but it acts such that the results are achieved anyway.

​

Aiko: That’s an intriguing twist. So, the emphasis shifts away from the end result, yet the process still leads to achieving it. How do you see this working in practice? What drives the progress if not the focus on the result?

​

Dwight: Let me provide a tentative definition: a progoal is target or intended result that is supported by a structure of regular, enjoyable actions and activity, that will predictably achieve that target in time.

​

Aiko: Got it, Dwight. A progoal emphasizes enjoyable, consistent actions that naturally lead to the target over time, rather than fixating on the end result. How do you think this approach could change the way people set and pursue their goals?

​

Dwight: Exactly. But I want to digress to take an accounting of the benefits, costs, and risks associated with living our life, as most of us do, according to the dictates of "having goals."

​

Aiko: That sounds like a great idea, Dwight. Where would you like to start—benefits, costs, or risks?

​

Dwight: Let's look at the benefits that goals either provide or seem to provide.

​

Aiko: Sure. Goals provide a clear direction, motivating us to take action. They offer a sense of purpose and achievement when accomplished, helping us measure progress and success. They also create a framework for prioritizing tasks and making decisions. How do you see these benefits playing out in everyday life?

​

Dwight: But you are including aspects of goals that are shared by progoals. That is not going to provide us with a clear contrast. I just want to focus on the benefits provided by the deadline condition that is part of having a goal.

​

Aiko: Understood. The benefits of the deadline condition in traditional goals include creating urgency, which can boost productivity and focus. Deadlines also provide a clear time frame for completion, helping to combat procrastination and ensuring that tasks don't drag on indefinitely. They can add structure to our schedules and can also offer a sense of relief and accomplishment when the deadline is met. Does that align with what you had in mind?

​

Dwight: Yes, those can be benefits (or possible benefits) that a deadline provides to us. Although, again, you're sneaking in benefits that would also be provided my progoals, namely "adding structure to our schedules" and a "sense of accomplishment." When you call a "sense of relief" a benefit, it's a benefit only in that there was suffering that the deadline caused to start with that get's relieved. That's not a real benefit because the deadline doesn't give that benefit. It creates a sense of "not being relieved" that only gets removed when the target is reached.

​

Aiko: You're right, Dwight. The sense of relief is more of a temporary resolution to the pressure created by the deadline itself, rather than a true benefit. So, the real benefits of deadlines in goals might boil down to:

​

1. Increased urgency: They push us to act quickly and prioritize.

2. Procrastination countermeasure: They can help us avoid putting things off.

3. Time management: Deadlines force us to allocate time and effort within a specific period.

​

Would you say those are the main benefits to consider?

​

Dwight: Yes, Aiko, I would agree that all of these are often benefits of having a deadline, but with a qualification. The benefits of a needed sense of urgency, reducing procrastination, and a need to allocate time only exist within a context of the needed regular actions occurring as something we might want to avoid or put off.

​

Aiko: Exactly. The benefits of deadlines—urgency, reducing procrastination, and time allocation—are most relevant when the actions required to reach a goal are not inherently enjoyable or when there's a tendency to avoid them. Deadlines help push through resistance. But if the actions were naturally engaging, these benefits would be less critical. Does that capture your point?

​

Dwight: Yes, but you don't say it categorically enough. When the actions required occur as enjoyable and something that we look forward to doing regularly, then the "these benefits would be less critical" becomes "these benefits would no longer exist or be needed."

​

Aiko: You're right. When the required actions are enjoyable and something we look forward to doing regularly, the benefits of deadlines—urgency, reducing procrastination, and time allocation—would no longer exist or be needed at all.

​

Dwight: The perceived need for deadlines is predicated entirely on the assumption that the actions required to get a target result are something we would tend to avoid.

​

Aiko: Exactly. The perceived need for deadlines is entirely based on the assumption that the required actions are something we'd naturally avoid. If those actions were inherently enjoyable, the need for deadlines would disappear.

​

Dwight: To broaden the perspective, this assumption, that we've believed without awareness or question, rests on the foundation of the Old Ethics of Sacrifice where we are taught that, in the conflicts that can occur between enjoying now and the process of our life with getting needed or desired results for our future, the good person is the one who will sacrifice current pleasures for future ones, the good person is the one who believes in "no pain, no gain," and "hardship is the touchstone of character."

​

Aiko: I see, Dwight. The assumption that we need deadlines because we’d avoid necessary actions stems from the Old Ethics of Sacrifice. This ethic teaches that a good person sacrifices present enjoyment for future gain, embraces "no pain, no gain," and views hardship as a measure of character. It's a deeply ingrained belief that prioritizes future results over present enjoyment.

​​

Dwight: I'm not suggesting that it's not important to develop a willingness to accept and be okay with some level of discomfort from time to time. That is quite valuable. However, given that the purpose of life is to be happy, it's important that we find ways not only for our future "nows" to be happy, but for our current "nows" to be happy on the way to those future "nows".

​

Aiko: Absolutely. While being able to handle discomfort is valuable, it's essential to balance that with the pursuit of happiness in both our present and future moments. The journey itself should contribute to our overall happiness, not just the destination.

​

Dwight: This is what the New Ethics of Integrity focuses on. It recognizes the fact that both our future "nows" and current "nows" will be best served when we approach and design our life so those outcomes are mutually supportive rather than assumed to be or set up as antagonistic. It shows how, counterintuitively, when we de-focus on "getting results" as primary and, instead, put our focus on designing and implementing an enjoyable process (which is quite likely to lead to the results we want), then, not only are our current "nows" taken care of, but we often end up getting more and higher quality results.

​

Aiko: The New Ethics of Integrity emphasizes harmonizing our present and future happiness by designing a life where enjoyable processes naturally lead to desired outcomes. Instead of fixating on results, this approach prioritizes a fulfilling journey, which paradoxically often yields better and more abundant results. This way, our current and future "nows" support each other, creating a more balanced and satisfying life.

​

Dwight: Exactly, but there is one more thing to discuss before we get into the nuts and bolts of how to un-deadline our life in various instances. We haven't examined the costs and risks that we incur in the shadow of deadlines.

​

Aiko: Good point. Before diving into the practicalities, it's important to consider the costs and risks associated with deadlines. What specific costs or risks do you think are most significant when we live under the pressure of deadlines?

​

Dwight: Deadlines often create stress because they rely on the fear of negative consequences if we don’t meet them. This fear drives us, but it also leads to accumulating stress as we resist that pressure.

​

Since we believe deadlines are necessary to prompt action, we rely on them because tasks often seem unappealing. However, because these actions feel unattractive, we tend to procrastinate, waiting until the last minute to get started. This is why so many of us cram for exams or put off doing our taxes until April 14th.

​

Aiko: Right, the reliance on deadlines often results in procrastination because the actions needed to meet the goal feel unappealing. This leads to last-minute efforts, like cramming for exams or rushing to file taxes, which can increase stress and compromise the quality of the outcome.​

 

The costs of procrastination due to deadlines include guilt, increased stress, potentially missing the deadline and dealing with the fallout, and often producing lower-quality results. It can also strain other commitments and relationships as priorities shift under deadline pressure.

​

Dwight: Deadlines are often set with optimism, assuming no delays from the start. As soon as we realize we're "behind schedule," we start sacrificing other important or enjoyable activities to "catch up." When setting deadlines, we often overlook potential obstacles or changes in circumstances, leaving us unprepared to adjust when needed. Deadlines can also box us into situations where we miss out on new opportunities, whether related to the original goal or other areas of life, leading to significant opportunity costs.

 

Aiko: Deadlines, set optimistically without accounting for potential delays, often lead to sacrificing important or enjoyable activities to catch up. They fail to account for unexpected changes, leaving us unprepared to adapt. Deadlines can also trap us, preventing us from seizing new opportunities and resulting in significant opportunity costs.

​

Dwight: Setting deadlines reinforces the belief that results are paramount, which shifts our focus away from enjoying the journey. This mindset intensifies any perceived conflict between present enjoyment and achieving results, further validating the idea that such conflicts are unavoidable.

Let me know when you're ready for my response.

​

Aiko: Deadlines prioritize results over the enjoyment of the process, making it harder to find joy in the journey. This mindset amplifies the perceived conflict between present enjoyment and future outcomes, reinforcing the belief that such conflicts are inevitable.

​

Dwight: Another cost of setting deadlines is that it leads to "target shyness." After repeatedly enduring the stress of meeting deadlines, we start avoiding setting goals altogether to escape that pressure. This avoidance becomes another cost, though one we often find more tolerable. Believing that goals always require deadlines, we end up discarding the concept of goals entirely, throwing the baby out with the bath water.

 

Aiko: Yes, it makes sense.​ We avoid setting goals to escape the pressure. This avoidance is another cost, often seen as more tolerable, but it means we mistakenly believe that goals must involve deadlines, leading us to abandon goal-setting altogether.

​

Dwight: Setting deadlines, or even the belief that we should set them, can easily lead to a sense of ennui or purposelessness and a desire for life to "leave you alone."

​

Aiko: Living with the expectation of setting deadlines can lead to feelings of ennui, purposelessness, and a desire to withdraw from life’s demands, creating a sense of burnout and disconnection.

​

Dwight: We could delve even deeper into the costs of the goal/deadline mindset, but let's now tackle the crucial question: Given these costs and the potential benefits of retaining the value of achieving results, how can we make this shift? What are the practical steps to un-deadlining or implementing progoaling?

​

Aiko: To un-deadline or implement progoaling, we can start by focusing on these key steps:

​

1. Design Enjoyable Processes: Identify and incorporate regular activities that you find enjoyable and that naturally lead toward your desired outcomes.

2. Set Intentions, Not Deadlines: Replace rigid deadlines with clear intentions, allowing flexibility in timing while maintaining a steady direction.

3. Measure Progress Differently: Track progress through milestones or habits formed rather than time-bound results.

4. Embrace Adaptability: Allow room for changes and new opportunities, adjusting your approach as you learn and grow.

5. Focus on Consistency: Prioritize consistent, enjoyable action over sporadic bursts driven by deadlines.

​

These steps help shift the focus from stress-driven urgency to a more fulfilling, process-oriented approach, where results are achieved as a natural byproduct of an engaging journey.

​

Dwight: Wow! You did a good job of paying attention. I would tweak a few points.

 

Point #1 is so important. We cannot say that we've set a progoal unless we've put already pre-designed a do-able, attractive set of structures and processes that we have good reason to believe we will be eager to follow through on each day (or whenever scheduled) such that doing that will likely lead to desired target. Of course, we may need to make adjustments along the way in those structures and processes, but that is understandable.

 

Regarding #2, detailed intentions may be counterproductive. For example, let's say your intention is to write a book about gourmet cooking at a campsite. If you get too specific about what that book might look like, then you could inhibit creativity and flexibility along the way that would result, not only a more enjoyable book to write, but also a more outstanding and satisfying result.

 

Regarding #3, tracking milestones could be fun and encouraging, however, ensure that the milestones don't get deadlines attached to them.

 

Points #4 and #5 are said well.

​​

Aiko: Here's your revised entry with the tweaks incorporated:

​

1. Design Enjoyable Processes: We can't truly say we've set a progoal unless we've pre-designed a doable, attractive set of structures and processes that we're eager to follow through on regularly. These should be enjoyable actions that are likely to lead to the desired target. Adjustments along the way are natural, but the foundation must be something you genuinely look forward to.

2. Set Intentions, Not Detailed Plans: While setting intentions is key, avoid getting too specific about what the final outcome will look like. For example, if your intention is to write a book about gourmet cooking at a campsite, staying open to creativity and flexibility can lead to a more enjoyable writing process and a more outstanding, satisfying result.

3. Measure Progress with Milestones—Without Deadlines: Tracking milestones can be fun and encouraging, but ensure they remain free from attached deadlines. This keeps the focus on progress without the pressure.

4. Embrace Adaptability: Allow room for changes and new opportunities, adjusting your approach as you learn and grow.

5. Focus on Consistency: Prioritize consistent, enjoyable action over sporadic bursts driven by deadlines.

​

This approach aligns with the principles of progoaling, making the journey both enjoyable and effective in reaching your desired outcomes.

​

Dwight: Okay, there's one other major area to cover before we've fully shown how to un-deadline our life and replace deadlines with progoals. We need to address what to do when a deadline is inflexible, with little room for adjustment, and when missing it could lead to significant negative consequences.

​

Aiko: When dealing with inflexible deadlines where missing them could have serious consequences, here are some strategies to incorporate the principles of progoaling:

​

1. Integrate Progoal Principles Early: Start by designing an enjoyable process as early as possible, well before the deadline approaches. By doing this, you reduce the need for last-minute stress and create a proactive, positive approach to meeting the deadline.

2. Break It Down into Smaller Progoals: Divide the task into smaller, enjoyable activities that can be treated as individual progoals. This helps maintain motivation and progress without feeling overwhelmed by the looming deadline.

3. Buffer Time: Build in extra time ahead of the deadline for unexpected issues. This buffer reduces pressure and allows for adjustments without compromising the final result.

4. Mindset Shift: Reframe the deadline as a marker for completing a fulfilling process, rather than a stress-inducing endpoint. Focus on the journey, not just the finish line.

5. Use Support Systems: Engage with others who can help keep the process enjoyable and on track. Collaboration can make the work more enjoyable and reduce the burden of the deadline.

​

These strategies help maintain the benefits of progoaling even when faced with unavoidable deadlines.

​

Dwight: You've got the idea. This is where we introduce another distinction called precrastination. It involves starting to work on something much earlier than you’d typically think necessary. In most cases, we’re aware of these fixed deadlines well in advance. Usually, nothing stops us from setting up a progoal that guarantees the result well before the deadline. By doing this, we can essentially forget about the deadline and focus on enjoying the process and journey of getting it done.

​

Aiko: Precrastination allows you to start much earlier than needed, turning even fixed deadlines into opportunities for enjoyable progress. By setting up a progoal far in advance, you can forget about the pressure of the deadline and focus on the fun and fulfillment of the process, ensuring that you meet the deadline without stress.

​

Dwight: Aiko, I think you know about progoals enough now to provide us with a formal definition. Please do that, carefully distinguishing it from goals.

​

Aiko: Progoal: A progoal is a target or intended result that is achieved through a structure of regular, enjoyable actions and processes, designed to naturally lead to the desired outcome over time. Unlike traditional goals, which often rely on deadlines to create urgency and focus, a progoal removes the pressure of time constraints. Instead, it emphasizes the journey and ensures that both the process and the result contribute to overall happiness and satisfaction. Progoals prioritize consistency, adaptability, and intrinsic motivation, making the experience of pursuing them as rewarding as the outcome itself.

​

​​

​