How I used Claude to design a goal tracking system
In less than an hour, Claude took my chaotic task list and built a workflow that translates my long-term goals into daily actions
The Conversation
Let’s talk about the system. Ask me questions.
Hey Jay! Love this energy. Let’s build something that actually works for you.
First, some context questions to understand how you work:
Your current setup:
- You mentioned you use Emacs with org-mode. Are you already using any org-mode features for task management (like TODO states, agenda views, properties)? Or are you mostly using it for writing and notes?
- Do you use org-roam? If so, how?
Your goal-setting style:
- When you think about “long-range” and “medium-range” goals, what timeframes feel right to you? (Like, are we talking years vs quarters? Quarters vs months?)
- Do you naturally think in terms of outcomes (“land a speaking gig at X conference”) or milestones (“build relationships with 20 key people in AI education”)?
Your daily rhythm:
- What does a good, productive day look like for you right now? When do you typically plan your day — night before, morning of, or do you prefer more flexibility?
- Are you someone who likes seeing one clear “next action” or do you like having options to choose from based on energy/context?
The momentum piece:
- You said “momentum and speed” — what kills your momentum most often? Is it unclear next steps, too many competing priorities, or something else?
Let’s start there and I’ll help you architect something that fits your brain and workflow.
# Do you use org-roam? If so, how?
Yes, I use a task list in org-roam:
velocity/data/20250519215301-master-task-list.org
and I have my current intentions and top priorities here:
canonical/canon/intentions-and-priorities.org
# Your goal-setting style:
#
# When you think about “long-range” and “medium-range” goals, what timeframes feel right to you? (Like, are we talking years vs quarters? Quarters vs months?) next 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years
# Do you naturally think in terms of outcomes ("land a speaking gig at X conference") or milestones ("build relationships with 20 key people in AI education")?
I don’t know. also those both seem like outcomes?
# Your daily rhythm:
#
# What does a good, productive day look like for you right now? When do you typically plan your day — night before, morning of, or do you prefer more flexibility?
I don’t have a consistent system right now. usually I go to the coffee shop and work like 10 — 6 ish. I’ve been doing a good job of doing at least an hour of writing a day
# Are you someone who likes seeing one clear “next action” or do you like having options to choose from based on energy/context?
options.
#
# The momentum piece:
#
# You said “momentum and speed” — what kills your momentum most often? Is it unclear next steps, too many competing priorities, or something else?
- avoiding work and wasting time on fun / playful tasks (editing photos, vibecoding, file management, web design) instead of getting to work
- getting distracted during tasks and escaping a difficult task like writing to go do a more fun easier task like learning about flash photography. but for the past 10 days I’ve been doing daily pomodoro sprints on writing and that’s been working really well
Perfect. Let me look at those files to understand what you’re already working with.
OK, this is super helpful. I can see what you’re working with — and I can also see the problem clearly: you’ve got a sprawling list of tasks without clear hierarchy, no connection between “Top Priorities” and daily execution, and no forcing function to make you choose what matters today.
I can see the problem clearly: you’ve got a sprawling list of tasks without clear hierarchy, no connection between “Top Priorities” and daily execution, and no forcing function to make you choose what matters today.
What you actually need: A three-layer system that forces you to choose, then execute.
Here’s what I’m seeing:
The good:
- You have a sense of what matters (intentions & priorities file)
- You’re already capturing tasks (master task list)
- Pomodoros are working for writing
The problem:
- Your master task list is a dumping ground (Boeing case study, transfer domains, Ottawa party guests, Anthropic outreach — these aren’t the same level of urgency)
- No clear line from “Get a job” to “what I’m doing today to get a job”
- Easy to rationalize doing fun tasks (flash photography, web design) because they’re on the list somewhere
What you actually need:
A three-layer system that forces you to choose, then execute:
- Goals layer (3mo/6mo/1yr/2yr/5yr) — Your North Star
- Projects layer — Active initiatives that ladder up to goals
- Daily execution layer — Options menu of next actions, organized by energy/context
The key insight: You need project-based task organization instead of one giant list. Each project gets its own file with its own next actions. Your daily view shows you only the next actions from active projects.
Want me to design this for your org-mode setup? I’m thinking:
- Keep your intentions file as-is (that’s your compass)
- Restructure your master task list into a weekly planning file (choose projects, not tasks)
- Create individual project files (with next actions tagged by energy:
#focus#admin#connect) - Build a custom agenda view that shows you options, not obligations
Should I sketch this out in more detail?
Alright, let’s build this thing.
The Three-Layer System
Layer 1: Goals (Horizons of Focus)
File: goals-horizons.org
This replaces vague “get a job” with concrete outcomes at different timeframes. You review this monthly, not daily.
#+begin_src_ org
- 3 Months (Feb 2025)
Career
- Land 3 paid speaking gigs or workshops ($15k+ total)
- Build relationship with 10 key AI education decision-makers
- Launch Substack with 500+ subscribers
Health & Systems
- 185 lbs with sustainable habits
- Daily pomodoro writing habit locked in
- Morning routine: meditate → exercise → work by 10am
Content & IP
-
Narratively webinar delivered + paid class developed
-
12 Substack posts published (weekly cadence)
-
OpenAI stories captured and organized
-
6 Months (May 2025)
Career
- Either: full-time AI education role OR consulting revenue $10k/month
- SXSW EDU keynote delivered (March 2026)
- Speaking portfolio: 8+ engagements completed
Platform
-
Substack: 2000+ subscribers, newsletter as known resource
-
YouTube channel launched with 10+ videos
-
Socratic AI framework recognized in AI education circles
-
1 Year (Nov 2025)
Career
- Dream role secured: university AI advisor OR consulting practice $150k+/year
- Published thought leadership (Atlantic, NYT, Chronicle Higher Ed)
- Speaking circuit established: booked 6+ months out
Platform & Influence
-
Socratic AI methodology taught in 5+ institutions
-
Book deal or major content partnership
-
Network: deep relationships with 50+ people in AI education space
-
2 Years (Nov 2026)
-
Position myself as the voice for ethical, pedagogical AI use in creative fields
-
Course/certification program generating passive revenue
-
Choose: tenure-track professor OR full-time creator/consultant making $200k+
-
5 Years (Nov 2029)
-
Socratic AI is a recognized framework taught in writing programs
-
Financial security: $300k+/year with multiple revenue streams
-
Influence: advising universities, companies, policymakers on AI pedagogy
-
Personal: thriving relationship, fit and healthy, living richly
#+end_src_
Layer 2: Active Projects
File: active-projects.org
This is your projects dashboard. Each Sunday, you review your goals and decide which 3-5 projects are active THIS WEEK. Everything else is “someday/maybe.”
#+begin_src_ org
- Active This Week (Week of Oct 28)
🔥 Narratively Webinar & Class
🔥 Substack Launch
🔥 Post-PopTech Follow-ups
🔥 Daily Writing Practice
⏸ On Deck (Ready to activate)
- SXSW EDU Keynote Prep
- University Job Applications
- OpenAI Stories Capture
- Social Media Strategy
📦 Someday/Maybe (Parking lot)
- Boeing case study
- Transfer GoDaddy domains
- Evoluent mouse
- Wikipedia Hamnet photos
- Flash photography learning
#+end_src_
Layer 3: Daily Execution
Individual project files (in projects/ directory)
Each project file contains:
- Next actions tagged by energy type
- Context for the project
- Links to relevant resources
Example: projects/substack-launch.org
#+begin_src_ org
:GOAL: Launch with 500+ subscribers by Feb 2025 :STATUS: Active
- Project Overview
Get Socratic AI Substack live and build initial audience. This is the foundation for thought leadership platform.
- Next Actions
#focus — Deep work required
-
Write post #2: “The Three Paradoxes of Socratic AI” SCHEDULED: 90min writing block. Use existing framework from PopTech talk. Resources: 📄 Three Paradoxes of Socratic AI
-
Draft welcome email copy SCHEDULED: 45min. Adapt “Welcome to Socratic AI” post.
#admin — Light cognitive load
-
Set up Substack analytics tracking 15min. Enable all tracking, understand metrics.
-
Create simple social share graphics (3 posts) 30min. Canva templates. Don’t overthink it.
-
Configure welcome email in Substack settings 10min. Copy/paste from welcome post.
#connect — People work
-
Email personal network about launch (30 people) 30min. Personal note, not blast. “I launched something I’m excited about...”
-
Reach out to 5 AI education folks to share Include: Dan Ariely, [others from PopTech]
#batch — Do together
-
Plan next 4 post topics 20min. Just titles and 1-sentence summaries.
-
Waiting On
-
Noah’s feedback on webinar outline (related but different project)
-
Resources
#+end_src_
-
Your Weekly Rhythm
Sunday Evening (30 min):
- Review goals-horizons.org → What matters this quarter?
- Review active-projects.org → Are these still the right 3-5 projects?
- Look at each project file → Are next actions clear and tagged?
- Schedule 3-5 specific tasks for the week
Daily (Morning, 5 min):
- Open agenda view (
C-c a d) - Pick 3 things: 1 focus, 1 admin, 1 connect
- Execute with pomodoros
Daily (End of day, 2 min):
- Mark completions
- Capture any new next actions to appropriate project file
How This Solves Your Problems
Avoiding work on fun tasks:
- Those tasks aren’t in active projects, so they don’t appear in your daily view
- They’re in someday/maybe where they belong
- You choose during weekly review if they’re worth activating
Getting distracted mid-task:
- Pomodoros already working for you
- But now your “escape” options (admin tasks) are also useful
- “I can’t focus on writing, but I can email 3 people” = still forward motion
Unclear next steps:
- Project files force you to define concrete next actions
- Energy tags let you match task to your current state
- No more “work on Substack” → “Write post #2” is executable
Too many competing priorities:
- Active projects limit you to 3-5 things
- Everything else is explicitly parked
- Weekly review is where you make the hard choices
Want me to:
- Build out a couple more example project files?
- Write the Emacs config for that agenda view?
- Help you migrate your current master task list into this structure?
Pick what’s most useful right now.
