The Backward Way in Which Manifestors Set Goals
In the past several months I have attended (and still kinda attending) an accountability group focused on goal setting… These are my impressions from these meetings, as well as my reflections looking back at other groups I’ve been to in the past.
(Now that I know all the “wonders” of being a Human Design Manifestor…)
Being part of an accountability group has been both inspiring and enlightening. Every two weeks, a small group of entrepreneurs, including myself, gather to outline our business goals. Most of the group are Generators or Manifesting Generators, with a lone Projector and me—the Manifestor. These meetings have been a fascinating study in how different Human Design types approach goal-setting.
In observing our differences, I’ve realized that as a Manifestor, my approach to goals often feels like swimming upstream compared to theirs. Here are some of the ways my goal-setting process diverges, and why I think this backward approach works better for Manifestors like me.
1. Goals of Avoidance: What Not to Do
While others in the group focus on what they’ll do, half of my goals are about what I’ll not do. For instance, in one meeting, I declared that for the next two weeks, I would NOT upload merch in a new illustration style to one of my shops. This wasn’t about procrastination—it was about preserving my energy for other, more pressing priorities.
For Manifestors, this "anti-goal" approach makes perfect sense. Our energy is non-linear and unpredictable. Rather than piling on tasks, we need clear boundaries to avoid being derailed by shiny new ideas or distractions. By explicitly stating what I won’t do, I free up mental and creative bandwidth to focus on what truly matters.
This is in sharp contrast to Generators and Manifesting Generators, who thrive on consistent output and momentum. Their goals often revolve around doing more, better, or faster. For them, having a list of actions to take is energizing. For me, it’s overwhelming. Knowing what not to do keeps me aligned with my natural rhythm.
2. A Hybrid Approach: Work and Rest as Equals
Another major difference is my hybrid approach to work and rest. Many in the group set goals to either work intensively or to rest completely and recharge. There’s rarely an in-between. Meanwhile, my goals include both: I plan work sprints interspersed with intentional downtime, where I do absolutely nothing but rest.
As a Manifestor, I’ve learned that rest isn’t optional—it’s essential for accessing my creative power. My energy comes in bursts, and I need time to recover between those bursts. This balance is something Generators often struggle to understand because their energy is more consistent. They tend to push through until burnout forces them to stop, whereas I proactively schedule rest to avoid burnout altogether.
( a photo from one of our sessions. Yes, it’s quite beautiful out here…)
3. No Shame in the Pivot
A third key difference lies in how we handle unmet goals. Many members of the group feel frustrated or even guilty if they don’t achieve their goals. One member, a Projector, shared how they felt good about not meeting their goal because it helped them discover a deeper truth. For me, the Manifestor, unmet goals are just part of the process.
Life, inspiration, or unexpected ideas often get in the way, and I’m okay with that. Manifestors are here to initiate and lead, not to stick rigidly to a plan. If a goal becomes irrelevant or a better idea takes its place, I don’t see it as failure—I see it as alignment. This flexibility is a key strength for Manifestors but can seem foreign to others, especially Generators who are wired to build steadily toward their goals.
4. The “Hard Task First” Debate
In one particularly lively discussion, the group tackled how to prioritize tasks. The overwhelming consensus was to do the hardest or most disliked task first. Their logic? Get it out of the way so it doesn’t hang over your head. While this made sense to them, it drove me insane.
For me, starting with the task I dislike the most is a surefire way to kill all momentum. If I try to tackle a dreaded task first thing, I’ll procrastinate, overthink, or even lose motivation entirely. On the other hand, if I sandwich that task between two I’m excited about—or leave it for when my energy naturally aligns with it—it’s far more likely to get done.
This approach is deeply Manifestor. Our energy ebbs and flows unpredictably, and forcing ourselves to act against it only creates resistance. While Generators thrive on steady, methodical progress, Manifestors need to honor our unique rhythm—even if it means doing things “backward.”
5. I Spent 2 Months on the WRONG Thing.
In the first an initial session of this specific group, we all set goals that are further down the line. It was around September where we started with our goals for the end of the year.
My goals split into 2 things: (split definition anyone?)
- Current rebranding of my own main Youtube channel where I teach creatives how to sell art online, or make money from affiliate marketing.
- A project, a blog, based on SEO, and leading to items I have designed.
After the first 2 weeks batch, I had a feeling that maybe I should be doing something different than the 2nd project. I felt like the topic I had chosen for it was not aligned with what I want to be doing, or what I think would work.
However, I set a goal, I did the thing, and in every meeting following that- I was hyped up by others that I am “doing it”. That I am keeping up.
Deep down inside? I was exhausted.
Then came the meeting 3 weeks ago, where I informed, quietly, with my head down.. “I kinda changed my mind…”
I felt like I had to explain myself, how on earth am I ditching a project i had spent so much of my time on to do something else??
(that something else, BTW, is to start this blog).
Luckily for me, our little Business Mastermind group consisted of 80% people who were in our Human Design workshops, and they got it. I feel like going through that experience made me realize, that while I do like having these group sessions, I need to remember- I am allowed to change my mind- even if no one else changes theirs.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Backward Way
As a Manifestor, I’ve come to embrace the fact that my goal-setting style looks different from others’. It’s not about doing more, pushing harder, or following conventional wisdom. It’s about working smarter, conserving energy, and staying aligned with what feels right in the moment. (even if it means- changing your mind).
So if you’re a Manifestor struggling to fit into traditional goal-setting frameworks, know this: Your “backward” way of setting goals isn’t wrong—it’s just uniquely you. Honor your energy, set those anti-goals, and don’t be afraid to pivot. After all, the world needs leaders who dare to do things differently.
But hey, what do you think?
(Me, working from the garden , while everyone else are working from inside…)