Web of Goals
Posted on di 13 december 2022 in tools
Web of Goals is a technique proposed by Jacob Lund Fisker. It tries to map out a set of goals in a holistic way. Because for every goal we choose, there are consequences - positive and negative. In permaculture the attitudinal principle Everything gardens expresses this same sentiment.
A module groups and names a set of goals. Another name for module could be a mission. Goals include primary objective and first order effects. Take a look at the fish bone diagram for the module Job. Every left turn starting from horizontal is a positive effect, every right turn is a negative effect.
For example, my primary (0 order) goal for a job is to create savings. A (1st order) positive side effect is that when I ride my bicycle to work, I get a workout. Riding the bicycle more leads to more maintenance, which is a negative (2nd order) effect. Doing the maintenance myself leads to hands-on knowledge and learning about repairing bicycles, which is a positive (3rd order) effect.
The table below summarizes the current modules with their primary goal and 1st order effects. This was a version of my web of goals in 2018.
Module | Goals (0 and 1st order) |
---|---|
Simple living | less clutter / frugality / savings |
Exercise | health / less clutter / healthy cooking |
Financial independence | frugality / savings |
Job | savings / networking |
Gardening | networking / health / healthy cooking |
In a later iteration of my life design in 2019, I have selected a number of different modules for my web of goals. The graph below embodies the following modules and effects.
Homesteading and gardening (green) supports:
- good food
- good friends (friendship / social connections)
- good finances (frugality / savings)
- good body (physical fitness / health)
- good mind (relaxation / connection with nature)
Job (orange) supports:
- good finances (savings)
- good friends (socializing)
- good mind (fascination)
- good body (physical fitness / health)
Dancing and Meditation (purple) supports:
- good mind
- good body
- good friends (compassion)
Financial independence (black) supports:
- good finances (frugality / savings)
- good shelter
- good mind (fascination)
Simple living (blue) supports:
- good finances (frugality)
- good food
- good shelter
Web of Goals in 2019
For me, living a content life comes from having all these elements fulfilled:
- good food
- good shelter
- good friends (friendship / socializing)
- good mind (fascination)
- good body (physical fitness / health)
- good finances (peace of mind)
As you can see, every goal is supported by at least two different modules: simply count the number of distinct colors for each label in the graph.