Assessing my Long Term Trajectory, Crudely

Michael J. Motta
Jul 20, 2017 · 3 min read

In another article, I discuss how I align my short term actions with my long term goals using a series of “productivity journals.”

But I left the hardest part out: Before you can align your short term actions with your long term goals, you have to honestly assess your current trajectory.

Your day-to-day actions, intentional or not, are leading you somewhere.

Changing directions requires that you know where you’re currently headed.

Looking down to see where your feet are planted right then and there is far more difficult than closing your eyes and imagining where you want your feet to be.

Go Easy on Yourself

How It Works

Causal Process of Personal Trajectories

Objectives decide actions.

Actions cause short term outcomes.

Outcomes, over time, create a long term trajectory.

Time for Some Algebra

The best we can do is identify our actions and outcomes, and from them surmise intentions and objectives, and ultimately our trajectory.

The Crude Method

  1. In the middle column, write out the expected outcomes of these action. Maybe it’s “keep job” or “get promoted” or “get good grade.”
  2. Extrapolate the actions five or so years into the future. Where does it lead you? Write this in the right column.

Is this where you want to go?

When I did this, I realized my actions were not leading me where I wanted to be. I knew I had to make a change. So I did.

And so can you.


For more information on how to change directions, check out productivityjournals.com and howtomanagegoals.com, or read Long Term Person, Short Term World, available on Amazon.

The Ascent

A community of storytellers documenting the journey to happiness & fulfillment.

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Michael J. Motta

Written by

Asst. Professor of Politics. Writes here about productivity, learning, journaling, life.

The Ascent

A community of storytellers documenting the journey to happiness & fulfillment.

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