More great advice from #1 New York Times bestselling author (7 books) Daniel Pink
Stop setting long term goals. Do the “zig-zag method” instead…
Everything you’ve been told about long-term goals is wrong.
The most successful people don’t follow a straight path. They zigzag.
Harvard researchers studied high achievers in education, business, and the arts. Their research, The Dark Horse Project, found these people didn’t follow rigid 10-year plans. Instead, they made purposeful short-term choices, aligned with what motivated them at the time. They prioritized fit over prestige—picking what felt right, not what looked good on paper.
The process is simple:
-Look at where you are now
-Pick an opportunity that excites you
-Try it, reflect, and pivot if needed
Instead of obsessing over a 10-year plan, focus on what’s next.
I use a Book of Experiments to track my zigzags. This idea comes from David Epstein (author of Range), who promotes “small experiments” to find your best fit. He breaks it down in a PinkCast episode—search “Small Experiments PinkCast David Epstein”.
-Write what you want to try
-Predict what you’ll learn
-Reflect & adjust
This approach keeps you growing—without feeling stuck.
The truth? Success isn’t a straight line. It’s a series of small, smart bets.
Ditch the rigid roadmap. Start running experiments. That’s how you actually figure out what works.
What’s your next experiment?
