Micro-commitments must pass three tests
Decompose large goals into daily micro-commitments that pass three tests: takes less than 15 minutes, executable on your worst realistic day (tired/distracted/unmotivated), and has binary completion clarity within 10 seconds.
When This Fires
- When a large goal needs decomposition into daily practice
- When daily execution of a goal keeps failing — the daily unit is probably too large or too vague
- When designing the minimal viable version of any recurring commitment (When an agent fires below 80% after 30 days, simplify…-403)
- Complements Start every new agent at under two minutes with zero… (under 2 minutes for new agents) with the three-test quality standard for daily micro-commitments
Common Failure Mode
Aspirational micro-commitments: "Write for 2 hours daily" fails the worst-day test (no one has 2 focused hours on their worst day) and arguably fails the 15-minute test. "Write 200 words before lunch" passes all three: under 15 minutes, executable even when exhausted (200 words of any quality), and binary-clear ("200 words or not").
The Protocol
(1) For a large goal, define one daily micro-commitment. (2) Apply three tests: Time test: does it take under 15 minutes? If no → shrink. Worst-day test: would you do this on your most tired, distracted, unmotivated day? If no → simplify until yes. Binary test: can someone determine in 10 seconds whether you completed it? If no → make the criterion more specific. (3) All three must pass. If any fails → redesign until all pass. (4) Execute the micro-commitment daily. On good days, do more (Micro-commitments are the floor, not the ceiling — exceed… floor-not-ceiling). On bad days, hit the micro-commitment exactly and stop without guilt. (5) Trust the accumulation: 200 words/day × 365 days = 73,000 words. The micro-commitment, executed consistently, produces the large goal as its natural output.