Coaching practices for Compass Goals
Describe almost anything you are working through and IX Coach finds the practices whose real-world fit is closest. For Compass Goals, these are the strongest matches in the current practice library.
Does this sound like the set of challenges you might be facing?
- This used to be something I wanted, but ever since my boss started tracking it and someone’s always checking in, it’s curdled into a chore I do for them
- I’ve pinned myself to this exact target
- Every time I set goals they end up being what I think I’m supposed to want
- I keep setting goals I’m sure to hit so I never feel like a failure, and then I coast
- I’ve got this whole list of goals and I honestly can’t tell anymore which ones are mine versus which I took on to look right or quiet the guilt
Practices that may help
- Protect your sense of autonomy while pursuing the goal
Keep the goal yours even when a coach, boss, or partner is involved in it.
Self-Concordant Goals, Made Practical - Replace specific goals with a guiding direction
A compass bearing keeps you moving without closing off the exact route or destination.
Goal-Free Living: When Process Beats Destination - Self-Concordant Goals, Made Practical
Self-concordant goals, from Kennon Sheldon, are goals you pursue because they express who you genuinely are or what truly interests you — not because of guilt, social pressure, or external reward. Research finds that self-concordant goals are pursued with more sustained effort and produce greater well-being when achieved, even when the objective difficulty is held constant. - Excavate core values before writing goals
Identify what you most fundamentally care about before deciding what you want — or goals will be other people’s.
The Life Crafting Intervention: Scripting Your Future Self - Calibrate stretch with a target score
Aim where hitting ~70% is a strong result, so comfort means you aimed too low.
OKRs for People, Not Just Companies - Audit why you are pursuing each goal
Check whether each goal is driven by interest and values or by guilt and external pressure.
Self-Concordant Goals, Made Practical - Anchor each goal to a named, personal value
Make the goal an expression of a specific value so it stays motivating when difficulty peaks.
Self-Concordant Goals, Made Practical - Review goal-self fit at regular intervals
As you grow, some formerly self-concordant goals become misaligned — review them deliberately.
Self-Concordant Goals, Made Practical - Design multifinal means — activities that serve several goals at once
Activities that advance multiple goals feel more energising and are more likely to be started.
Goal Systems Theory: How Goals Work Together (and Against Each Other) - Using your ranked values as a coaching north star
Return to your ranked values list every time a goal, project, or decision feels off-track.
Values Card Sort
Related concerns
- Identity And Goals
Make the goal an expression of a specific value so it stays motivating when difficulty peaks.
Anchor each goal to a named, personal value
- Self Concordant Goals For My Teenager
Self-concordant goals, from Kennon Sheldon, are goals you pursue because they express who you genuinely are or what truly interests you — not because of guilt, social pressure, or external reward. Research finds that self-concordant goals are pursued with more sustained effort and produce greater well-being when achieved, even when the objective difficulty is held constant.
- Self Concordant Goals When Burned Out
Make the goal an expression of a specific value so it stays motivating when difficulty peaks.
- Self Concordant Goals When Starting Out
Self-concordant goals, from Kennon Sheldon, are goals you pursue because they express who you genuinely are or what truly interests you — not because of guilt, social pressure, or external reward. Research finds that self-concordant goals are pursued with more sustained effort and produce greater well-being when achieved, even when the objective difficulty is held constant.
- What Makes A Goal Self Concordant
Self-concordant goals, from Kennon Sheldon, are goals you pursue because they express who you genuinely are or what truly interests you — not because of guilt, social pressure, or external reward. Research finds that self-concordant goals are pursued with more sustained effort and produce greater well-being when achieved, even when the objective difficulty is held constant.
- Do Goals Make You Happy
Recognize progress in who you are becoming, not only whether you hit the number.
Celebrate growth, not just goal attainment
Describe your situation in your own words to search the complete practice library.