Web of Goals
Posted on 2026-05-15 22:22 in tools • Written by Arno Peters
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.
For this technique, we create fish bone diagrams for each of our goals where we try to elucidate positive and negative effects. When goals reinforce other goals in their positive effects, it strengthens our web. If a goal has negative effects and works against our other goals, it weakens the web.
When an action serves multiple goals, these goals become quicker to attain. And when goals reinforce each other in their effects, it becomes easier to sustain the actions associated with them.
Link to permaculture design
In permaculture design the attitudinal principle Everything gardens expresses this same sentiment.
A Web of Goals is an expression of another attitudinal principle: Multiple elements x Multiple functions. This is shorthand for
- Stacked functions: every element in a design has many functions.
- Redundancy: many elements and systems support every essential function.
By choosing goals that mutually reinforce each other in their effects, we Work with Nature and thus utilize a third attitudinal principle.
Note: in the following discussion goals can be thought of as functions. And modules as elements. See also Section 00201 at iPermie.net for an in-depth discussion.
Fish bone diagram
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.
Web of Goals in 2018 (first attempt)
The table below summarizes the modules with their primary goal and 1st order effects. This was 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 |
Web of Goals update in 2019
In 2019, in the next iteration of my life design, I generalized my goals while keeping the modules roughly the same. The graph below embodies the following modules and effects.
Module 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)
Module Job (orange) supports:
- good finances (savings)
- good friends (socializing)
- good mind (fascination)
- good body (physical fitness / health)
Module Dancing and Meditation (purple) supports:
- good mind
- good body
- good friends (compassion)
Module Financial independence (black) supports:
- good finances (frugality / savings)
- good shelter
- good mind (fascination)
And module 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.
Web of Goals update in 2023
I was looking at the Constellation Clarity System by Rachael Stephen. She uses six domains for her system: Creativity (Genero), Money (Divitiae), Space (Domum), Mind (Spiritus), Connection (Socialis) and Body (Corporalis).
I liked her classification and I also noted the overlap with the different aspects I have in my Web of Goals. In the list below, Rachael’s label is on the left, and my label is on the right.
- Money — good finances
- Body — good body
- Mind — good mind
- Space — good shelter
- Creativity — no equivalent
- no equivalent — good food
I have come to realize I need a seventh aspect. I call it good fun in my Web of Goals of 2023. It relates to having fun, doing things that nourish the soul, sparkling creativity.
Web of Goals in 2023. The modules are the same as in the 2019 version.
I use these categories in my bullet journal when doing the weekly and monthly review. I use the following symbols (partly taken from Rachel’s work):
- # food
- ⌂ space / home / shelter
- $ money / finances
- ⚭ friends / relationships
- ⏀ body
- ◊ mind
- ꩜ soul / inspiration / fun
See the page on reviews for more details.