Success Advice

Why You Should Write Down 100 Goals For 2021 And Beyond

Published

5 years ago

Nov 2, 2020

Thomas Kuegler

Image Credit: Unsplash

Three years ago, I wrote down 100 goals in my journal. It was harder than I thought it would be. Among these riveting goals that my young brain came up with were “Go to Coachella,” “Climb Everest,” and “Cook with Gordon Ramsay.” Absolutely riveting, I know.

Despite these brainless entries, I did come up with a few goals that shaped my life today. I wrote “Go to the Philippines” in my journal–I now live in the Philippines full-time. I wrote “Start a Youtube channel” as well, and now I have a bustling channel with 140,000 subscribers.

The fact is, writing down 100 goals for my life three years ago gave me incredible direction. Given how much this simple exercise has helped me, I’m certain it can also help you, the reader.

Here’s how to perform the “100 goals” experiment yourself:

1. Writing Down Your First 20 Goals Is Easy

Got a pen? Good. Got a piece of paper? Now we’re talking. Write out your first twenty numbers and get going on filling them with goals. Truthfully writing out your first twenty goals will be very easy. You likely know exactly what you want to do, right? Some big goals might be to buy a house, get married, start a side-hustle, learn how to speak Spanish, and other various things.

Get those first twenty goals out and then brace for the worst case of writer’s block you could possibly imagine.

“Goals. There’s no telling what you can do when you get inspired by them. There’s no telling what you can do when you believe in them. And there’s no telling what will happen when you act upon them.” – Jim Rohn

2. How To Write Down Your Next 80 Goals

When you have writer’s block during this exercise, it’s likely because you’re being too picky. “Cook with Gordon Ramsay” is an absolutely ludicrous goal of mine, however I still wrote it, right? I wrote it because I was trying to get out of my own way. I trained myself to write absolutely anything that came into my mind.

I don’t care if one of your goals is to go play professional soccer and you’re currently 50 years old. Write it down. I don’t care if your goal is essentially impossible. Write it down. This will help you get the exercise done.

Here’s a list of my personal goals that I wrote down three years ago…

Go To Europe
Live in San Francisco
Start a Successful Youtube Channel
Write a book
Write an insanely viral article
Start a consulting/coaching business
Maintain a high level of fitness
Go to Coachella *Winces*
Write a screenplay
Get nominated for an award in entertainment

Out of these first ten goals, I’ve already done four of them. The problem is I have another 90+ goals on this list that I’m far from accomplishing. You may be feeling a little overwhelmed here. You might be saying to yourself, there’s no way I’ll ever get to visit the Pyramids or get elected to public office. Those thoughts may come to your mind. Banish them immediately. It’s normal to get those thoughts, but tell them to go away for just twenty minutes while you write your goals down.

3. Break Up Your Goals By These 5 Categories

For one, break down your goals based on five different categories: Work, Relationships, Location, House, and Hobbies. Let’s take a look at some of my goals for a second…

Go on a road trip out West with my Dad. That’s relationships. Go to Europe. That’s a location. Run a marathon. That’s more or less a hobby or like a leisure activity. Work on a movie set. That’s work.

When you’re writing down these goals and you’re at a loss for what goals to write down next, just think in terms of category. Think about a few goals you can add to your “relationships” stockpile, or a few goals you can add to your “house” stockpile.

For instance, I want to build a house in beautiful Bohol, Philippines. I want to have a brick oven in my home, too. These could be categorized under a “home” goal. You can add categories if you wish, too. I saw someone write down “Faith” as one of theirs, so get creative–your list doesn’t need to revolve around the five categories I’ve mentioned here.

“If you set goals and go after them with all the determination you can muster, your gifts will take you places that will amaze you.” – Les Brown

4. Your Life Will Magically Follow Some Of These 100 Goals

Three years later, I’ve found my life has almost magically followed my 100 goals. So far, just three years later, I’ve accomplished sixteen of them. I’m convinced that simply listing down what you want in a journal can act as a sort of cosmic hand influencing you and pointing you in the right direction. You’ll subconsciously work towards many of your goals without knowing it.

Now, to be honest, many of my initial 100 goals are ones I’ll never accomplish. I have no desire to work on a film set right now, and living in San Francisco? That’s where rent prices are some of the highest in the world. What was I thinking?

You won’t bowl a strike every time writing down your goals, but that’s not the objective. The objective is to drain your brain of every goal you might ever want. It’s a 100 goal exercise on purpose–it’s hard to write down that many at one time.

Once you do, though, you best believe that every desire you’ve ever had is likely right in front of your face. You’ll be looking at a roadmap for your life, and that’s a pretty amazing gift to give yourself.

What’s one of your main goals you’d like to accomplish in the following year? Share it with us below!

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Thomas Kuegler

Thomas Kuegler is a full-time blogger and vlogger currently living in the Philippines. He writes on Medium, where he has over 47,000 followers, and he also writes on his personal website from time to time. When he's not writing, Tom runs a publication called the Post-Grad Survival Guide on Medium, which has 38,000 followers. You can catch him in Metro Manila buying some street food, filming vlogs, and learning Tagalog most likely.

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Many young men today quietly battle depression, loneliness, and a sense of confusion about who they’re meant to be.

Some blame the lack of deep friendships or romantic relationships. Others feel lost in a digital world that often labels traditional masculinity as “toxic.”

But the truth is this: becoming a man in the modern age takes more than just surviving. It takes resilience, direction, and a willingness to grow even when no one’s watching.

Success doesn’t arrive by accident or luck. It’s built on discipline, sacrifice, and consistency.

Here are 9 harsh truths every young man should know if he wants to thrive, not just survive, in the digital age.

1. Never Use Your Illness as an Excuse

As Dr. Jordan B. Peterson often says, successful people don’t complain; they act.

Your illness, hardship, or struggle shouldn’t define your limits; it should define your motivation. Rest when you must, but always get back up and keep building your dreams. Motivation doesn’t appear magically. It comes after you take action.

Here are five key lessons I’ve learned from Dr. Peterson:

Learn to write clearly; clarity of thought makes you dangerous.
Read quality literature in your free time.
Nurture a strong relationship with your family.
Share your ideas publicly; your voice matters.
Become a “monster”, powerful, but disciplined enough to control it.

The best leaders and thinkers are grounded. They welcome criticism, adapt quickly, and keep moving forward no matter what.

2. You Can’t Please Everyone And That’s Okay

You don’t need a crowd of people to feel fulfilled. You need a few friends who genuinely accept you for who you are.

If your circle doesn’t bring out your best, it’s okay to walk away. Solitude can be a powerful teacher. It gives you space to understand what you truly want from life. Remember, successful men aren’t people-pleasers; they’re purpose-driven.

3. You Can Control the Process, Not the Outcome

Especially in creative work, writing, business, or content creation, you control effort, not results.

You might publish two articles a day, but you can’t dictate which one will go viral. Focus on mastery, not metrics. Many great writers toiled for years in obscurity before anyone noticed them. Rejection, criticism, and indifference are all part of the path.

The best creators focus on storytelling, not applause.

4. Rejection Is Never Personal

Rejection doesn’t mean you’re unworthy. It simply means your offer, idea, or timing didn’t align.

Every successful person has faced rejection repeatedly. What separates them is persistence and perspective. They see rejection as feedback, not failure. The faster you learn that truth, the faster you’ll grow.

5. Women Value Comfort and Security

Understanding women requires maturity and empathy.

Through books, lectures, and personal growth, I’ve learned that most women desire a man who is grounded, intelligent, confident, emotionally stable, and consistent. Some want humor, others intellect, but nearly all want to feel safe and supported.

Instead of chasing attention, work on self-improvement. Build competence and confidence, and the rest will follow naturally.

6. There’s No Such Thing as Failure, Only Lessons

A powerful lesson from Neuro-Linguistic Programming: failure only exists when you stop trying.

Every mistake brings data. Every setback builds wisdom. The most successful men aren’t fearless. They’ve simply learned to act despite fear.

Be proud of your scars. They’re proof you were brave enough to try.

7. Public Speaking Is an Art Form

Public speaking is one of the most valuable and underrated skills a man can master.

It’s not about perfection; it’s about connection. The best speakers tell stories, inspire confidence, and make people feel seen. They research deeply, speak honestly, and practice relentlessly.

If you can speak well, you can lead, sell, teach, and inspire. Start small, practice at work, in class, or even in front of a mirror, and watch your confidence skyrocket.

8. Teaching Is Leadership in Disguise

Great teachers are not just knowledgeable. They’re brave, compassionate, and disciplined.

Teaching forces you to articulate what you know, and in doing so, you master it at a deeper level. Whether you’re mentoring a peer, leading a team, or sharing insights online, teaching refines your purpose.

Lifelong learners become lifelong leaders.

9. Study Human Nature to Achieve Your Dreams

One of the toughest lessons to accept: most people are self-interested.

That’s not cynicism, it’s human nature. Understanding this helps you navigate relationships, business, and communication more effectively.

Everyone has a darker side, but successful people learn to channel theirs productively into discipline, creativity, and drive.

Psychology isn’t just theory; it’s a toolkit. Learn how people think, act, and decide, and you’ll know how to lead them, influence them, and even understand yourself better.