Whose Standard Is This Goal Measured Against?
Added 2026-11-06
Many "not good enough" verdicts use someone else's ruler.
I am chasing this goal and feel I am not good enough because of it: [goal, current state, who you compare with]. Check where the standard comes from: 1) who set the specific number or state, and on what basis; 2) how I chose the comparison — peers, social media, my past self; 3) how my position changes under a different standard; 4) which parts of this standard I do not actually agree with; 5) a replacement standard I accept and can verify; 6) which parts of the original standard are still worth keeping.
Site original
Chinese original
How to use
First check whose ruler it is, then judge whether you fall short.
Try tweaking it
- Ask what evidence would overturn the judgement.
- Have it argue both sides with three reasons each.
What you should get
- A decision table: assumptions, evidence, counter-evidence
- A next action with an observable signal
Common mistakes
- Asking only "should I?" and getting equally valid answers both ways.
- Never asking for counter-examples, so you only hear support.
How to check the output
- It states what evidence would overturn the conclusion.
- Both sides are argued, with assumptions marked as such.
Where it works
- Good for: splitting a decision into assumptions, evidence and counter-cases, leaving the call to you.
- Watch out: ask what evidence would overturn the judgement, or you will only hear supporting reasons.