How to Achieve your Goals According to Aristotle
With practical tips from Tony Robbins
Image Credit-algomamarinerAristotle is known for his deep thought.
I've always wondered how he'd approach goal-setting in today's world.
While Aristotle represents philosophy and purpose, Tony Robbins is the modern-day motivator who drives practical action.
Today, I’m blending their approaches to help you achieve your goals.
Telos: the ultimate purpose
Aristotle believed that everything in life has a purpose, or an end goal.
A final cause that gives meaning to our actions.
Tony Robbins’ Rapid Planning Method (RPM) integrates purpose into action.
It's called the "Rapid Planning Method."
Broken into 3 sections:
Results: (what you're committed to achieving).
Purpose (Aristotle puts it is to find the ultimate purpose of the action).
Massive Action Plan "MAP" (your practical tools).
But to get to Tony Robbin's RPM method, we first need to understand SMART goals.
SMART goals
SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound.
It's not a vague "I will save more money."
It's a clear "I will save $5,000 for vacation."
Aristotle's Telos applies here as well.
Saving $5,000 creates a memorable vacation that enriches your life.
Here's a breakdown of the SMART Goals combined with RPM:
Result → Specific and Measurable:
RPM: "I want to lose weight."
SMART: "Lose 10 pounds by exercising 4x/week and eating 1,800 calories daily for 3 months."
Purpose → Emotional and Realistic Connection:
RPM: "I want to feel confident and energetic."
SMART: "Losing 10 pounds fits my current lifestyle and time frame."
MAP → Time-Bound Action Plan:
RPM: "Exercise, meal prep, and track calories."
SMART: "Meal prep Sundays, exercise Mon/Wed/Fri, and track calories daily to hit the goal by June 1."
Aristotle also has the idea of the golden mean.
Which is achieving balance between extremes.
This aligns with the realistic section of SMART goals.
Because setting goals that are too ambitious leads to burnout.
Or setting goals that are too easy leads to a life of complacency.
Like a goal of running 3x/week rather than 7x/week.
You can balance excellence with feasibility.
The golden mean also ties to Tony Robbin's idea of chunking.
Chunking
Chunking is grouping related tasks together, prioritizing, and simplifying.
Prioritizing tasks depends on your goal.
Simplifying means reducing the number of tasks or categories.
Find your essential few.
With Aristotle's golden mean, you can avoid extremes by using chunking.
This structured approach reflects Aristotle's emphasis on moderation.
Instead of working on 10 goals simultaneously,
chunking helps you prioritize the most meaningful actions.Combining each method
Here's how I would combine each method in a practical goal plan:
Let’s say your goal is to run a half-marathon.
Here’s how RPM, SMART goals, and chunking align to help you achieve it:
RPM:
Result: Complete a half-marathon in 3 months.
Purpose: Build confidence and resilience.
MAP: Train 4x/week, follow a meal plan, join a running group.
SMART Goals:
Specific: Run 10 miles/week by Month 1.
Measurable: Track weekly mileage.
Achievable: Start with 3-mile runs and build up.
Realistic: Train 4x/week, not every day.
Time-Bound: Ready by June 1.
Chunking:
Group tasks: "Training" (running, stretching) and "Nutrition" (meal prep, hydration).
Focus on essentials: Running and meal prep first.
Remember Aristotle's thinking here.
For running a half-marathon, the purpose here is to grow in excellence as a person over the achievement of the half-marathon.
His golden mean is utilized in the SMART. goals and chunking to allow organization, balance, and realistic goals.
All leading to a person to grow towards eudaimonia, a flourishing life.
Final Thought
Tony Robbins is an excellent person to learn practical strategies in achieving your goals.
He not only provides tools, but deep thought as to why you want your goals.
Tying in emotion and purpose.
Like Tony Robbins, Aristotle thinks deeply and intentionally about our actions.
With the idea that we are all meant to live in eudaimonia, or flourish as humans.
Start today:
Combine RPM’s purpose, SMART’s clarity,
and chunking’s organization to set goals that help you flourish.I help undisciplined people wanting a change in their unfulfilling lives find purpose and progress towards their personal goals.
Follow me on YouTube: @1andrewrauch, Substack, and Twitter (X): @AndrewRauch00 to learn more.
👉 If you enjoy reading these posts, feel free to share it with friends! Or feel free to click the ❤️ button on this post so more people can discover it on Substack 🙏