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Success Advice

How To Use The 3 Goal Theory And How It Can Change Your Life

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3 goals
Joel Brown

Are you ever just not sure what to do? This feeling comes from a lot of places. Maybe there’s so much to do that you’re overwhelmed. Maybe you’re feeling a lack of motivation (it happens to everyone). In either case, you’re stuck and not feeling your most productive self.

I have started about a dozen businesses by now, with my first one being started at the age of twelve. At my current age of 21, I am managing 4.5 businesses, most of which feed into each other in some way.

But even though some of these businesses are complementary, there is so much going on that it can be hard to really peg down what I should be working on at any given time in order to pay the bills.

I’ve read so much about goal-setting, but I always found a “disconnect” between the life-goals that we set and the day-to-day “what to do next” kind of goals that we need to stay productive.

That’s why I have put into place the “Three Things Theory” in my life. This is similar to some other concepts out there for goal-setting and productivity, but this is specifically what works for me:

1. Set 3 goals for your life

The idea is simple, set 3 goals for your life. These are the overarching “vision” goals that may even seem ethereal, especially if you’re young like me. It’s okay if these change, but there’s no way that you can work on setting short-term goals if you don’t have these long-term goals in place.

Here are three examples:

  1. I want to be happy and have the mental and emotional ability to spread this happiness to others.
  2. I want to have enough money so that my children and grandchildren will have access to unlimited opportunity in their lives.
  3. I want the ability to only do the work that I love and give talks to business owners to affect their incomes and their lives.

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” – Tony Robbins

2. Set 3 ten-year goals

Now, set 3 ten-year goals. These are things that you would like to have accomplished in ten years that will help you achieve those 3 life-goals you set before. These should still be pretty overarching and high-level, but they should be more tangible than your life goals. One example might include, “Be making seven figures a year by XX/XX/XXXX date ten years into the future.”

This ties into each of the goals from the example above, so achieving it will push you farther along on your journey to reaching those life goals.

 

3. Set 3 one-year goals

Now, set 3 one-year goals. These are the first steps to hitting those ten year goals. Keeping with the income theme from above, one of your goals may be to make $50,000 this first year. This is a scaleable goal, because each year you can increase that number until you get to that date mentioned in your ten-year goals and make 7 figures.

 

4. Set 3 monthly goals

As you may have guessed, once you have set your one-year goals, it is time to set 3 monthly goals.

You can do this two ways (or do it both ways). You could set monthly goals that will be the same each month and aim to hit those, or you can set 3 unique monthly goals each month that will push you farther along. The only caution I have about the second option is that many people will set 3 monthly goals, work on them for the month, and then abandon them next month for something new.

Personally, I use a combination of both. I have static goals like monthly income goals, goals for how many guest posts I want to write, podcasts I want to record, etc.

“People with goals succeed because they know where they’re going.” – Earl Nightingale

5. Set 3 weekly goals and 3 daily goals

Each week, on Monday morning, I take a relaxing bath and I think to myself: What 3 things could I accomplish that would make this week a success for me and move me farther along to hitting these monthly goals?

Then I write those down. Sometimes I will write 5 goals for the week, sometimes I will write 3. But the idea is that you have a “barometer” for your success this week.

Now each day I am only working towards reaching those 3 goals. I love this because as long as I finish those 3 things, I can feel like a success and relax during my weekend. Too many entrepreneurs get stressed out when they aren’t working, but that’s just not healthy. As long as you’re hitting these checkpoints, you can take a breather, confident that you are headed in the right direction.

The beautiful part of this is that each of these goals are connected to each other, but are broken down into manageable chunks so that you don’t feel overwhelmed or like your goals are out of reach.

When you reach your daily goals, you know those are helping you to reach your weekly goals, which fall in line with your monthly goals, which ensure you will reach your one-year goals, which feeds into the 10-year goals, which finally, helps you to achieve everything you have ever wanted in your life.

Do things always go exactly as planned? Of course not. You’ll need to course-correct along the way. But using this “Three Things Theory,” I can assure you that you will be more productive and more in-tune with your life goals as they relate to your work today.

Which concept for goal-setting and productivity has worked for you? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below!

Collin is a serial entrepreneur and founder of the The 20 Something Entrepreneur, which is a blog and podcast dedicated to helping the young and the young at heart find more success in their businesses by learning from other young entrepreneurs who are still “in the trenches” figuring things out.

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Change Your Mindset

The Secret Daily Routines Behind History’s Most Brilliant Thinkers

Uncover the daily rituals and hidden habits that powered history’s most brilliant minds to success.

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Why Daily Rituals Matter

Every great achiever has one thing in common: discipline. Behind the novels, inventions, discoveries, and masterpieces are small, consistent habits repeated daily. (more…)

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Did You Know

How to Turn a Simple Link-in-Bio Into a Powerful Brand Hub

Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

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Social media is one of the greatest marketing tools in 2025. According to a recent study, some 86% of marketers globally use platforms like Facebook and Instagram for advertisements, while 94% use it for content distribution.  (more…)

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Personal Development

These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident

Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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Success Advice

Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Will Always Fail (and What Works Instead)

The surprising truth about leadership styles that can make or break your team’s success.

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Why one-size-fits-all leadership doesn’t work
Image Credit: Midjourney

Leadership has always been as much about people as it is about performance. Ken Blanchard, in his influential book, “The One Minute Manager”, put it simply: different strokes for different folks. (more…)

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