Goal Categories in MakeTimeFlow

MakeTimeFlow uses two complementary frameworks for organizing your goals:

1. Flourishing Domains (for KPIs and Habits)

The 6 Flourishing Domains are based on positive psychology research and represent the key drivers of life satisfaction and wellbeing. Use these to:

  • Choose your KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) - select 3-5 metrics to track weekly
  • Design your Habit Experiments - choose 1-2 active experiments to try
  • Explore your Flourishing Map - assess where you are and where you want to be

2. Four-Way Wins (for Success Stories)

Your Success Stories (quarterly and long-term goals) are organized by four life domains:

  • Work - Professional achievement and career
  • Home - Family and personal life
  • Community - Social contribution and service
  • Self - Health, growth, and personal development

This framework, based on Stew Friedman’s work, helps you create “four-way wins” where progress in one area supports the others.


The Six Flourishing Domains

These domains represent the key drivers of life satisfaction based on positive psychology research (PERMA+ model):

Physical Health and Exercise

Focus: Body vitality and wellness

Key Aspects

  • Exercise routine
  • Nutrition habits
  • Sleep quality
  • Energy management

Example Goals

Strength Training (Physical Health): Establish consistent routine baseline:30 goal:75 in 4 weeks
Sleep Quality (Physical Health): Optimize sleep system baseline:40 goal:85 end of quarter

Positive Emotions

Focus: Emotional wellbeing and resilience

Key Aspects

  • Gratitude practice
  • Joy cultivation
  • Stress management
  • Emotional awareness

Example Goals

Morning Gratitude (Positive Emotions): Build daily practice baseline:25 goal:70 in 3 weeks
Stress Resilience (Positive Emotions): Develop coping strategies baseline:40 goal:80 Q2

Engagement and Flow

Focus: Deep involvement and optimal experience

Key Aspects

  • Deep work
  • Skill challenge
  • Focus management
  • Peak experiences

Example Goals

Deep Work (Engagement): Create flow state routine baseline:35 goal:80 in 4 weeks
Skill Development (Engagement): Master new technique baseline:30 goal:75 end of quarter

Relationships

Focus: Meaningful connections

Key Aspects

  • Family bonds
  • Friend connections
  • Professional networks
  • Community ties

Example Goals

Family Time (Relationships): Create quality evening routine baseline:40 goal:85 in 4 weeks
Network Building (Relationships): Develop professional community baseline:30 goal:75 Q2

Meaning and Purpose

Focus: Life significance and direction

Key Aspects

  • Value alignment
  • Legacy creation
  • Impact focus
  • Personal mission

Example Goals

Life Purpose (Meaning): Define and act on mission baseline:35 goal:90 in 5 years
Value Creation (Meaning): Launch impact project baseline:25 goal:75 end of quarter

Achievement

Focus: Accomplishing meaningful goals

Key Aspects

  • Skill mastery
  • Project completion
  • Personal growth
  • Professional development

Example Goals

Career Growth (Achievement): Develop leadership skills baseline:40 goal:85 in 5 years
Project Success (Achievement): Complete major initiative baseline:50 goal:90 end of quarter

Integration Strategies

Balancing Categories

  1. Assess current focus
  2. Identify gaps
  3. Create balance
  4. Plan integration

Category Synergies

Examples:

  • Exercise + Relationships = Group training
  • Achievement + Impact = Meaningful projects
  • Balance + Health = Sustainable practices

Review Process

Regular check of:

  1. Category balance
  2. Progress metrics
  3. Integration opportunities
  4. Adjustment needs

Advanced Applications

Category Combinations

Creating powerful goals through combination:

Health + Relationships: Family fitness routine
Achievement + Impact: Social enterprise project
Balance + Purpose: Integrated life design

Long-term Planning

Building across categories:

  1. Foundation Phase

    • Basic health practices
    • Key relationships
    • Core skills
  2. Growth Phase

    • Advanced capabilities
    • Deeper connections
    • Greater impact
  3. Legacy Phase

    • Lasting contribution
    • System creation
    • Knowledge transfer

Back to the Goals Guide