A Hierarchy of Goals

In chapter 4 of Grit, Angela Duckworth introduces the idea of a hierarchy of goals.

She describes three levels of goals.

Imagine a pyramid with one goal at the top, three mid-level goals, and seven low-level goals.

The low-level goals “exist merely as a means to ends.”

“The higher the goal, the more it’s an end in itself, and the less it’s merely a means to an end.”

Here is the example she uses:

Low-level goal: Getting out the door by 8:00 a.m. Mid-level goal: Arrive to work on time. High-le...