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The Science of Goal Setting: Systems That Beat Willpower

clock13 min

Discover why 80% of resolutions fail and how to beat the odds. Drawing from Edwin Locke's 35-year research, BJ Fogg's Tiny Habits framework, and techniques used at Google, this episode reveals the neuroscience of motivation and practical systems that outperform sheer willpower every time.

The Science of Goal Setting: Systems That Beat Willpower
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How This Personalized Podcast Was Made

This podcast was created using BeFreed’s AI, based on selected books, the creator’s learning goals, and their preferred tone.

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40745.Mindset
Implementation Intentions: Strong Effects of Simple Plans
link
https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.54.7.493
How are habits formed? Modelling habit formation in the real world
link
https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.674
Modern Wisdom
link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER7dgjNCLxc
The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work
link
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/11721498-the-progress-principle
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29445754-grit
John Doerr | TED Talk
link
https://www.ted.com/talks/john_doerr_why_the_secret_to_success_is_setting_the_right_goals
With Goals, FAST Beats SMART
link
https://sloanreview.mit.edu/strategic-agility/
Measure What Matters
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39286958-measure-what-matters
The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish
link
https://fs.blog/knowledge-project-podcast/angela-duckworth/
The Fresh Start Effect: Temporal Landmarks Motivate Aspirational Behavior
link
https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.1901
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/69795891-deep-work
Angela Lee Duckworth | TED Talk
link
https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_grit_the_power_of_passion_and_perseverance
Building a Practically Useful Theory of Goal Setting & Task Motivation
link
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254734316_Building_a_Practically_Useful_Theory_of_Goal_Setting_and_Task_Motivation_A_35Year_Odyssey
Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26312997-peak
Implementation Intentions and Goal Achievement: A Meta‑analysis of Effects and Processes
link
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2601(06)38002-1
The Goal‑Gradient Hypothesis Resurrected
link
https://doi.org/10.1509/jmkr.43.1.39
A Meta‑Analysis of the Effects of Mental Contrasting With Implementation Intentions on Goal Attainment
link
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34054628/
Modern Wisdom
link
https://share.snipd.com/episode/8d76661e-7236-4853-be03-a8ae7775ffeb
Holding the Hunger Games Hostage at the Gym: An Evaluation of Temptation Bundling
link
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4381662/
The 'What' and 'Why' of Goal Pursuits: Human Needs and the Self‑Determination of Behavior
link
https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01
Dan Pink | TED Talk
link
https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_the_puzzle_of_motivation
Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53369580-tiny-habits
Huberman Lab Podcast
link
https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/the-science-of-setting-and-achieving-goals
When intentions go public: Does social reality widen the intention–behavior gap?
link
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19389130/
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40121378-atomichabits
Rethinking Positive Thinking: Inside the New Science of Motivation
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24612077-rethinking-positive-thinking
BJ Fogg | TEDx Talk
link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdKUJxjn-R8
Nudge: The Final Edition
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58476924-nudge
Using pedometers to increase physical activity and improve health: a systematic review
link
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18029834/
A Neural Substrate of Prediction and Reward
link
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9054347/
Tim Urban | TED Talk
link
https://www.ted.com/talks/tim_urban_inside_the_mind_of_a_master_procrastinator
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Input question

How can I set goals that actually stick instead of relying on willpower alone?

Podcast Style
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likes117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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comments12
likes108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments254
likes17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
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comments96
likes4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
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"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
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thumbsUp16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments37
likes483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments12
likes117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments12
likes108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments254
likes17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments96
likes4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
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comments201
thumbsUp16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments37
likes483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
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