Someday Is Today: Achieve Your Goals And Live Without Regret - Matthew Dicks

He says many people are held back by the belief that others are constantly judging them, which drains time and mental bandwidth. He tries to help people internalize that most people aren’t paying close attention, freeing them to act more confidently and productively.

He describes using thought experiments (e.g., asking someone to recall what others wore at a party) and low-stakes “tests” (like going to the grocery store in pajamas) to prove that feared social consequences rarely materialize.

He explains that many goals fail because they depend on other people’s decisions (e.g., “publish a book”), whereas process goals focus on what you control (e.g., “write a book”). He also says he expects not to complete all goals and views a ~65% completion rate as evidence he’s pushing himself.

He frames productivity as “dream-oriented,” arguing it shouldn’t be limited to career outcomes; it can support personal dreams like watching the “50 greatest movies” with a spouse. The point is to reduce wasted time in obligations so you can do more of what matters to you.

He prefers a “horizon” framing—directionally clear but deliberately unspecific—so you can discover unexpected paths while still moving forward. He criticizes overly rigid plans (like a strict five-year plan) and emphasizes taking the next step instead of overthinking.