Ask what must already be true

Instead of mapping steps toward the goal, you check the preconditions the goal quietly assumes are in place right now. List what has to hold for the target to be reachable at all, then test each one against reality. Failed preconditions kill the plan early.

Instead of mapping steps toward the goal, you check the preconditions the goal quietly assumes are in place right now. List what has to hold for the target to be reachable at all, then test each one against reality. Failed preconditions kill the plan early.

Example

For retiring at 62 on $80,000 a year, three things must already be true: your income supports saving 22% now, your health insurance gap from 62 to 65 is covered, and your job market lasts another 15 years. Check the second one and the whole date moves.