CGP Grey
10 HN recommenders · recommended in 9 months, 2020–2025
6:24 · 5.5M views · Jan 26, 2020
CGP Grey argues for picking a theme for the year or season instead of setting goals or new year's resolutions. He explains how a theme gives direction without a pass/fail target.
A staple recommendation in new year and goal-setting threads, with many commenters adopting yearly themes.
13 comments from Hacker News
Happy new year, HN. I'm a huge believer in CGP Grey's thematic year system ( this video ) in place of resolutions. After outstanding successes two years in a row with the system (first year with my physical health, second year with my work and finances), I'm doing a "year of relationships" where my focus will be general social and romantic recoveries. Especially since, in the last two years, this is what has suffered the most for many including myself. I posted on Tildes about this, in fact: [LINK]
I'm a huge fan of yearly themes, popularized by CGP Grey! [1] this video [2] [LINK] My "year of trailblazing" was incredibly positive. Here's my recap: finally started antidepressants, became a dad, quit booze and cigarettes after ten years of attempts, conquered my internet addiction, started a popularish blog, biked from SF to LA, failed at starting a tech conference, botched a startup launch, read a ton of books, overcame chronic crippling anxiety [3] [LINK]
A similar idea that resonated with me is CGP Grey's suggestion to replace resolutions with themes: this video Rather than set a lofty goal you're more likely to give up on (leaving you having accomplished nothing), simply look for ways in which you can do/be better than you were before.
You can learn more about yearly themes from this excellent CGP Grey video: [1] this video Here's my yearly theme log, which I started mid-2022: [2] [LINK] It's been a great experience!
CGP Grey has an excellent video on this exact kind of goal setting: [LINK] And another on New Year's resolutions more generally: this video