Youtube Exercise » English Grammar Homework

I WAS WRONG – How I Set Goals

Ali Abdaal

682K views 5 years ago

Warm-up Questions

When you set goals, do you feel motivated or stressed? Why?
What does the title “I WAS WRONG – How I Set Goals” suggest the speaker will change their mind about?
Do you think it’s better to focus on goals (results) or systems (daily habits)?

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I WAS WRONG – How I Set Goals

Part 1: Why the speaker used to think goals were pointless (systems over goals) (00:00 – 02:06)

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1. Why did the speaker say they didn’t care much about subscriber or view counts?

Because they already had enough subscribers
Because they dislike making videos
Because those numbers are outside their control

2. What was the speaker’s main “system” for the YouTube channel?

Collaborate with other creators every week
Release at least one to three videos every week without fail
Post daily shorts instead of long videos

3. According to the speaker, how can goals restrict happiness?

They create an implicit contract: ‘I’ll be happy once I reach this goal’
They force you to share your plans with other people
They make you stop trying new activities

I WAS WRONG – How I Set Goals

Part 2: A new way to think about goals (compass + clarity) (02:06 – 07:16)

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1. What metaphor is used to describe the role of a goal?

A mirror
A compass
A finish line

2. What is one example given of a non-traditional goal?

To win a competition within 30 days
To double your income in six months
To have a peaceful existence with an empty calendar

3. What does ‘measure the gain not the gap’ mean in this context?

Compare yourself to your former self rather than an ideal future self
Only measure financial results
Avoid measuring progress at all

I WAS WRONG – How I Set Goals

Part 3: Balancing self-improvement and self-acceptance + new-year goals (07:16 – 10:32)

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1. What balance does the speaker describe using ‘yin and yang’?

Self-improvement and self-acceptance
Money and fame
Work and sleep

2. Which of these is mentioned as one of the speaker’s new-year goals?

Move to a different city this month
Start a new company immediately
Train in emergency medicine and maybe work abroad

3. What system does the speaker give for getting more ‘pro’ at computer science?

Taking online courses
Reading only paper textbooks
Studying with no schedule or plan

I WAS WRONG – How I Set Goals

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1. What is the main message about goals and systems?

Systems are useless; only goals matter
Goals give direction, and systems help you make progress toward them
Goals are useless; only systems matter

2. What is the speaker’s updated view about goals and happiness?

Goals can exist without making you unhappy if you focus on progress
Goals always make people unhappy until they succeed
Happiness is impossible without achieving every goal

3. Why does the speaker say it helps to be explicit and intentional about goals?

Because it guarantees success
Because it makes motivation easier to create through clarity
Because other people will approve of you more

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

I WAS WRONG – How I Set Goals

Do you agree that focusing too much on a goal can make you ignore the ‘journey’? Why or why not?
Think of a personal goal you have. What is a realistic system (weekly habits) that could support it?
Do you prefer SMART goals or more general goals (like ‘be more relaxed’)? What are the pros and cons of each?
How can someone balance self-improvement and self-acceptance in everyday life?