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➡️ New Year's Resolutions + Goodhart's Law

💡learnshiv newsletter - December 4th, 2024

Author

Shivani Persad
December 04, 2024

Hi! Welcome to the 35th edition of 💡learnshiv.

Here, I break down big ideas, mental models, and cultural context into practical strategies for both work and life. You'll learn how to navigate modern workplace challenges, protect your energy, and build success on your terms. Consider it advice from an experienced friend who understands that you need to survive before you can thrive – offering tools to work smarter and live better in these complex times.

What is Goodhart's Law?

Goodhart's Law states, "when a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure." Basically, when we focus too intensely on hitting a specific number or metric, we often find ways to hit that target while sacrificing what actually matters.

Think about a call center that measures success solely by the number of calls handled. What happens? Employees rush through calls without actually helping customers, just to boost their numbers. The metric (number of calls) becomes more important than the actual goal (helping customers).

PS. Along with goals, I like to choose a word for each year and try to look back at that word when I’m thinking of what my goals should look like. Choosing a word for the year also helps you get closer to the “why” behind your goals. I like to map my New Year goals almost like a mind map, starting with my word, then each goal, and then the why for each goal. Here’s what mine looks like this year:

Why is this important for New Year's Resolutions?

  1. Setting the Right Goals

  • Most people set number-based resolutions: "read 50 books," "lose 20 pounds," "save $10,000"

  • These metrics can lead us to chase numbers while missing the real transformation we seek

  • The focus should be on building sustainable habits and meaningful change

Fix those goals:
- Instead of "read 50 books" → "develop a daily reading habit that brings me joy and knowledge, even if it’s 5 mins per night"
- Instead of "lose 20 pounds" → "build sustainable eating and exercise habits by adding veggies to my dinner plate and working out twice a week"
- Instead of "save $10,000" → "develop better spending habits and financial awareness by tracking my spending and setting up automatic transfers"

  1. Better Decision Making

  • Understanding this law helps us set more effective resolutions

  • It encourages us to think about quality over quantity

  • It reminds us that numbers alone don't equal success

Put yourself in the mind of future you. Are you going to care if you finished 50 books next year? Or will you care if you learned something amazing from the books you’re reading? Probably the latter. So why put that pressure on yourself? Don’t lose yourself in the numbers, babe; focus on the quality of your goals.

  1. Create Multiple Measures of Success

  • Track both quantitative and qualitative progress

  • Consider how your goals affect your overall well-being

  • Regular check-ins on whether you're moving toward genuine improvement

Don’t succumb to other people’s understanding of what “success” is. Success to them might mean “I made $100”; success to you might mean “I didn’t make that sale, and it taught me how to position my next sales call.” SPOILER ALERT: YOU ARE ALLOWED TO FAIL. In fact, failing is a good thing, and we learn SO MUCH from trying and failing. As soon as something starts affecting your mental health, reevaluate! Is this goal worth it? How can you iterate so you don’t burn out? Is this something you need to do anyway? In 2025, put YOU before your goals.

While numbers can help track progress, they shouldn't become more important than the actual improvements you're trying to make in your life. The best resolutions focus on building systems and habits that lead to lasting change rather than just hitting arbitrary numbers. If you’re ever confused, always return to your WHY and WORD for the year. If your goal doesn’t match either of those things, it’s okay to iterate or abandon it altogether! (I give you permission.)

Thanks for reading our 35th newsletter. Find me on Instagram or LinkedIn where I post even more little tidbits about learning and my life.

Have a great week, and stay curious,

Shiv 💁🏽‍♀️