Cultivating Monkey's-Worthy Goals

Duration: 30-45 minutes per day for 1 week Materials: notebook, favourite pen

A Scientific-ish Method to Determine If Something Deserves Your Precious Monkey's Credits

---

Instructions

When faced with a situation, concern, or activity that's demanding your emotional energy, take a proper moment (ideally with a cup of tea) to run it through this assessment. Answer each question honestly, remember, the only person you're fooling is yourself, and that's just embarrassing, isn't it?

Score each question from 0 to 3 points as indicated. After completing all sections, tally your score to determine your Monkey's-Worthy Rating. I know it seems strange introducing a new rating system so close to the end of the book; however, introducing a new system will help you to take a fresh look at things.

---

Section 1: The Core Values Assessment

1. Does this align with my top three values in life?

• 0: Not even remotely related to anything I genuinely care about.
• 1: Vaguely connected to something I might value on a good day.
• 2: Clearly related to something I consider important.
• 3: Directly supports one of my core values or life purposes.

2. In five years' time, will this matter to me at all?

• 0: I'll have forgotten about it by next Tuesday.
• 1: Might remember it occasionally, but with minimal impact.
• 2: Will likely have some lasting influence on my path.
• 3: Will be a defining element of my life journey.

3. If I were on my deathbed reflecting on life (cheerful thought, I know), would I regret not giving this my attention?

• 0: I'd probably regret having spent time on it.
• 1: I'd be entirely neutral about it.
• 2: I might wish I'd given it more attention.
• 3: I'd consider it one of the meaningful parts of my existence.

---

Section 2: The Personal Impact Measurement

4. Will engaging with this genuinely improve my wellbeing or growth?

• 0: More likely to cause a stress-induced migraine.
• 1: Neutral effect on my wellbeing, neither harmful nor helpful.
• 2: Likely to improve some aspect of my life.
• 3: Significant positive impact on my physical, mental, or spiritual health.

5. Does this activity energise me or drain me?

• 0: Completely exhausting; requires three biscuits just to contemplate.
• 1: Mildly draining but manageable.
• 2: Neither draining nor energising; it's just there.
• 3: Actually gives me energy and enthusiasm when I engage with it.

6. How authentic does my involvement feel?

• 0: I'm only doing this to please others or from obligation.
• 1: Somewhat obligatory, with a hint of personal interest.
• 2: Mostly aligned with who I am and what I want.
• 3: Feels completely authentic to my true self.

---

Section 3: The Social Context Evaluation

7. How will this affect the people I genuinely care about?

• 0: Might strain important relationships or embarrass my family.
• 1: No significant impact on my meaningful relationships.
• 2: Could positively influence some of my relationships.
• 3: Will significantly benefit those I love or strengthen important bonds.

8. Am I doing this because I truly want to, or because of social pressure/"should" statements?

• 0: Purely external pressure or fear of judgment.
• 1: Mostly external expectations with a small personal interest.
• 2: Primarily my choice, though influenced by others' opinions.
• 3: Entirely my decision, regardless of social expectations.

9. Will this help me contribute meaningfully to others or the wider world?

• 0: No benefit to anyone, possibly making things worse.
• 1: Neutral impact on the world at large.
• 2: Some positive contribution to others' well-being.
• 3: Significant positive impact extending beyond my immediate circle.

---

Section 4: The Practical Reality Check

10. Do I actually have the resources (time, energy, money) to give this proper attention?

• 0: Not a chance, I'd be spreading myself thinner than the jam at a budget hotel's breakfast.
• 1: Would require significant sacrifice of limited resources.
• 2: Manageable with some adjustments to my current commitments.
• 3: I have sufficient resources available, or can realistically create them.

11. What's the cost of NOT giving this my Monkey's Credits?

• 0: No real consequences, life continues unaffected.
• 1: Minor inconveniences or missed opportunities.
• 2: Notable negative impact or regret.
• 3: Significant negative consequences, I'd genuinely struggle with.

12. How does this compare to the other priorities currently demanding my monkey's?

• 0: Far less important than most things on my plate.
• 1: About average importance compared to current commitments.
• 2: More important than many current commitments.
• 3: Among the most important things in my life right now.

---

The Tea-Dunking Reflection (Bonus Question)

13. If I imagine myself engaged in this activity/concern, do I feel:

• 0: Dread, avoidance, or immediate exhaustion.
• 1: Mild resignation or "might as well get on with it".
• 2: Moderate interest or curiosity.
• 3: Genuine excitement or purposeful determination.

---

Scoring Your Monkey's-Worthiness

0-10 points: Absolute Monkey's Waste. Not worth a single monkey's credit. Delegate, delete, or decline without guilt. Life's too short and your monkey's too precious to waste on this. This deserves all the attention of a tea stain on a dark carpet, acknowledge it exists and promptly ignore it.

11-20 points: Borderline Monkey's Case. Approach with caution. Consider investing minimal monkey's credits, setting firm boundaries, or finding ways to engage efficiently without emotional drain. Perhaps worth the emotional equivalent of a digestive biscuit, but certainly not your last Jaffa Cake.

21-30 points: Reasonably Monkey's-Worthy. Worth a decent portion of your monkey's credits, though not unlimited attention. Engage thoughtfully with clear boundaries. This deserves the care you'd give to a proper cup of Earl Grey, attention to detail but not obsession.

31-39 points: Highly Monkey's-Worthy. A legitimate priority deserving significant investment of your monkey's credits. Make space for this in your life with minimal guilt. This merits the reverence typically reserved for the last chocolate hobnob in the packet.

40+ points: Supreme Monkey's-Worthy. Core priority that aligns with your deepest values. Invest your monkey's credits generously here. This deserves the level of care typically associated with a family recipe for Christmas pudding, passed down through generations and treated with appropriate solemnity.

---

The Fine Print

• This test is most effective when taken with brutal honesty rather than wishful thinking.
• Results may vary depending on mood, biscuit intake, and whether Mercury is in retrograde (though I have no idea what that actually means).
• If you find yourself negotiating with the scoring system, you may be suffering from advanced British Overthinking Syndrome (BOS). Please re-read Chapter 1 immediately.
• No refunds will be issued for monkey's credits already spent unwisely.

---

The ultimate goal isn't to care about nothing, it's to care deeply about the right things. Use your monkey's credits as if they're the last tea bags during a national shortage: with intention, appreciation, and the knowledge that proper allocation makes all the difference between a satisfying life and a lukewarm disappointment.

I've done this one

Duration: 45-60 minutes initially, then 10-15 minutes daily for one week Materials: Notebook, your favourite pen, sticky notes (optional), and a proper brew (essential)

By now, you're familiar with the concept of the Monkey's-Worthy Filter, that helps you determine whether something deserves your precious Monkey's Credits. This exercise transforms the Monkey's-Worthy Filter from abstract concept to practical daily tool.

Part 1: Filter Calibration (Day 1, 45-60 minutes)

Before we dive headfirst into filtering every aspect of your life like an overzealous tea strainer, we need to calibrate your personal filter settings. One person's Monkey's-Worthy might be another's complete waste of Monkey's Credits.

Step 1: Values Clarification

On a fresh page in your notebook, answer these questions with brutal honesty:

1. What three values do you consider most essential to your authentic self? (Not what your mum thinks is important or what looks impressive on LinkedIn).
   
2. What activities or experiences make you lose track of time? (The ones where you look up and somehow three hours have disappeared, along with half a packet of biscuits).
   
3. When have you felt most alive and energised in the past year?
   
4. What would you regret not doing or becoming if you suddenly learned you had only five years left?
   
5. What three qualities do you most admire in others? (These often reflect what you value most).
   

Step 2: Create Your Personal Filter Cards

Now, based on your answers, create your personalised Monkey's-Worthy Filter questions, the three crucial questions that any potential commitment must answer satisfactorily before earning your Monkey's Credits.

These should follow the structure:

1. The Passion Question: Does this [activity/concern/goal] genuinely excite me or merely satisfy external expectations? (The "Go Banana's!" test)
   
2. The Alignment Question: Does this [activity/concern/goal] support my core values of [insert your top values] rather than conflicting with them?
   
3. The Vision Question: Does this [activity/concern/goal] move me closer to my ideal life vision or distract me from it?
   

Write each question at the top of a separate page in your notebook or on separate sticky notes, these are your Filter Cards. Underneath each, leave space for the evaluation scale:

• Strong Yes: This absolutely passes this filter criterion (3 points)
• Moderate Yes: This somewhat passes this filter criterion (2 points)
• Weak Yes: This barely passes this filter criterion (1 point)
• No: This fails this filter criterion (0 points)

Step 3: Test Drive Your Filter

To ensure your filter is properly calibrated and not just theoretical nonsense, let's test it on three different scenarios:

1. An activity you currently spend significant time on but have mixed feelings about.
2. Something you've been considering saying yes to recently.
3. A long-term goal or aspiration you've been contemplating.

For each scenario, run it through your three filter questions, scoring each from 0 to 3. Add up the total score (maximum 9 points).

Interpret your results:

• 0-3 points: Absolute Monkey's Waste. This deserves less attention than a tea stain on a dark carpet.
• 4-6 points: Borderline Monkey's Case. Proceed with caution and clear boundaries.
• 7-9 points: Genuinely Monkey's-Worthy. This deserves your full attention and energy.

Was your filter too lenient? Too strict? Adjust your questions as needed until they feel right, like finding that perfect tea steeping time that works for your specific taste.

---

Part 2: Daily Application (Days 2-7, 10-15 minutes daily)

Now that your filter is calibrated, it's time to apply it to your daily life like a proper filter-wielding warrior.

Morning Preview (5 minutes)

Each morning, identify 2-3 decisions, activities, or concerns that will likely demand your Monkey's Credits today. These might include:

• Work tasks or projects
• Social commitments
• Worries or concerns currently occupying mental space
• Requests for your time or energy
• Goals you're contemplating pursuing

For each item, quickly run it through your three filter questions and determine its Monkey's Worthiness score. Based on the score, decide on your approach:

• Monkey's Waste (0 to 3): Delegate, decline, or minimise attention
• Borderline Case (4 to 6): Set firm boundaries and limit investment
• Monkey's-Worthy (7 to 9): Allocate substantial energy and focus

Evening Reflection (5-10 minutes)

At day's end, review how you applied the filter:

1. Filter Successes: Note situations where you successfully applied the filter and saved Monkey's Credits or invested them wisely.
   
2. Filter Failures: Identify moments when you ignored your filter and later regretted it (we all do it, like eating that extra biscuit we know we shouldn't).
   
3. Filter Adjustments: Consider whether your filter needs fine-tuning based on today's experiences.
   
4. Tomorrow's Preview: Identify 1-2 situations tomorrow where you anticipate needing your filter.

---

Part 3: The Weekly Integration (Day 8, 30 minutes)

After applying your filter daily for a week, it's time for a proper review. think of it as your filter's MOT.

Step 1: Monkey's Credit Savings Account

Calculate your approximate Monkey's Credit savings:

• How many low-value activities did you decline or minimise?
• How much mental space did you reclaim by letting go of unworthy concerns?
• What meaningful pursuits received more of your energy as a result?

Step 2: Filter Refinement

Review your filter questions:

• Were they effective in identifying truly worthy pursuits?
• Did they help you distinguish between external "shoulds" and authentic desires?
• Were they specific enough to be useful but broad enough to apply widely?

Adjust as needed, like upgrading from a basic tea strainer to a fancy infuser.

Step 3: Integration Plan

Create a simple plan to integrate your filter into your ongoing life:

• Where will you keep your filter questions as a reminder? (Phone note, journal, sticky note on your mirror, tattooed on your forearm, level of commitment is entirely up to you).
• How often will you formally review and apply the filter? (Daily, weekly, or before major decisions).
• What visual cue or reminder will help you remember to use your filter in the moment? (Perhaps a small monkey charm or special bracelet).

---

Common Pitfalls and Troubleshooting

The People-Pleaser Problem
If you find yourself automatically scoring social obligations highly out of guilt, add this question: "If all external pressure disappeared, would I still choose this?"

The Legacy Leech
For activities you continue simply because "I've always done it this way," add: "If I were starting fresh today, would I choose to invest in this?"

The Perfection Paralysis
If you're overthinking the filter itself (oh, the irony), simplify to a single question: "Does this genuinely matter to ME, not to others' perception of me?"

The Future Fret
If you're struggling to assess long-term impact, try the "Five-Year Test": "Will this matter to me in five years' time?"

---

After completing this exercise, you should experience:

1. Increased Decisiveness: You'll make choices with greater confidence, like a seasoned tea connoisseur who knows exactly which blend suits which occasion.
   
2. Reduced Guilt: You'll feel less obligated to invest energy in things that don't align with your authentic values.
   
3. Enhanced Focus: Your limited Monkey's Credits will concentrate on genuinely worthy pursuits rather than being scattered like breadcrumbs in a pigeon park.
   
4. Greater Authenticity: Your life will increasingly reflect what matters to YOU, not what should matter according to others.
   
5. Monkey's Credit Surplus: You'll likely discover you have more emotional and monkey's credits available for what truly lights you up.
   

I've done this one