“We deliberate about means, not ends. The end is fixed by nature or habit.”
— Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book III, Chapter 3
(Translated by W.D. Ross)
Plain Talk
Life’s like cooking dinner:
- The Meal (Goal): You’re hungry → That’s natural.
- The Recipe (Plan): Microwave pizza 🍕 vs. homemade salad? → That’s where your choices matter.
Everyday Examples
- Money Choices
- Goal: Save for vacation (habit from last year’s trip).
- Plan: Skip daily coffee runs → Use a budget app.
- Health Habits
- Goal: Lose 10 lbs (doctor’s advice → feels “natural”).
- Plan: Walk after dinner 🚶♂️ vs. join Zumba?
- Family Time
- Goal: Bond with kids (your parenting instinct).
- Plan: Movie night 🍿 vs. board games?
Try This Week
- Spot Your Auto-Pilot Goals
Write down 3 things you always want:- “Weekend BBQ with friends” (habit)
- “Keep the house clean” (your nature)
- Flip the Script
For 1 goal, try a new way to achieve it:- Instead of driving to work → Bike 🚴♀️ (same goal: save gas $).
- Ask Grandma Wisdom
“Which of my goals are truly mine vs. what everyone else does?”