Hey friend,
I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with GOALS.
There’s a voice in my head that says:
“You should be more goal-oriented. That’s how people succeed, right?”
But every time I try to set big, concrete goals, I end up either feeling drained or like I’ve failed.
When I do hit a goal it's usually because I've pushed myself the whole way, trying to prove something to some perfectionist version of myself.
Other times, I don’t hit the goal and I feel like I’ve let myself down.
So I’ve often wondered:
Are goals really the answer?
Or...
Is there another way to grow?
Last week, Adam and I listened to a podcast episode from The Nathan Barry Show featuring neuroscientist Anne-Laure Le Cunff that beautifully answered this question for me.
I found myself nodding along to everything she said.
Even the title of the episode got me excited:
Stop Setting Goals! Do This Instead.
Instead of goals, Anne talks about running tiny experiments.
She says goals are binary:
You either succeed or you don’t.
But experiments?
They invite curiosity, welcome reflection, allow for flexibility, and help us define success on our own terms.
When we put on our scientist hats, we become observers of our lives, not judges.
We’re more open to discovering what works and what doesn’t because the outcome isn’t tied to our worth or capabilities.
🎧 [Listen to the full episode here — you’ll love it.]
Anne shares a simple structure for running your own tiny experiments:
- Action: Choose something small and specific
- Duration: Set a short time frame
- Reflection: Use what she calls Plus / Minus / Next to note what worked, what didn’t, and what you’d try differently next time.
It’s so simple:
Create three columns on a piece of paper.
Under Plus, write what worked.
Under Minus, write what didn’t.
Under Next, jot down what you might try next time.
For example:
A goal you might have is to meditate every morning.
Here's the tiny experiment version:
“I will meditate for 10 minutes each morning for one week. Afterward, I’ll reflect using Plus / Minus / Next.”
This framing allows space for us to learn, adjust, and grow. We don't just wake up one morning and then for the rest of our lives never skip a day of meditation.
So here's my tiny experiment:
Last week, I led my first live virtual yoga and meditation class, and I loved it!
Four beautiful women joined me.
Together, we carved out intentional space in our lives to move, to breathe, to listen to our bodies, to our inner wisdom, and to what we truly needed in that moment.
So here's my tiny experiment:
"I will host a virtual live yoga series of 3 sessions a week for 2 weeks. Afterward, I'll reflect using Plus / Minus / Next."
If this sounds like something you’re craving to be a part of right now, I’d love to invite you to join me in this experiment...[click here to learn more]
(I've also outlined a few more details about it at the bottom of this email.)
Just like yoga...
tiny experiments aren't about perfect poses or rigid routines.
They're about showing up.
Being curious.
Noticing what feels good.
And making space to grow without pressure.
Because when we stop thinking in terms of success or failure,
We open ourselves to something gentler.
Something more sustainable.
Anne said something similar to this that stuck with me:
With goals, we often get so focused on checking the box that we forget to reflect.
"Yes, I hit the goal. But how did I feel along the way?"
Experiments shift the focus.
The process becomes the point.
The journey is what teaches us.
And that’s what helps us tweak, refine, not burn ourselves out, and build things we actually enjoy, both in business and in life.
Here’s to building a life you love,
Maggie (& Adam)
P.S. If you’ve been feeling stuck with your own goals lately, try this:
Instead of: “What do I want to accomplish?”
Ask: “What tiny experiment do I want to run this month?”
We’d love to hear what you’re exploring.
Hit reply and tell us! Seriously, we love getting your emails.
✨Virtual Live Yoga Series✨
To see the full schedule 👉[click here].
These classes are designed for the summer season, when the days feel full, long, and dare I say...draining at times.
Together we'll explore gentle, mindful movement and meditation from wherever you are.
Within each class we will center, open, and create space to listen, and reconnect to your inner knowing and inner wisdom.
You’ll have a chance to pause, and allow the world to keep spinning without you, for just a little while…
Then step back into summer feeling lighter, clearer, and more steady.
May these gentle classes be little gifts that you give to yourself...
Allowing you to create renewed energy and the ability to more clearly see the beauty all around you this summer.
If this sounds like what you need right now...
👉[ Click here to join ]
I can't wait to practice with you virtually!
All the best,
Maggie