I can't speak for the author (and indeed, from his tone, I'm inclined to agree with you that perhaps he may need to let off the throttle a bit), but taking time to set non-work goals can lead to greater mindfulness about an activity, precisely because you've spent time considering it.
If I decide that "In Q1 2021, I will be biking precisely 3 out of 5 workdays a week to the office", this might not sound 'common sense humanity', but that fact does not then preclude me from enjoying the chill of the morning wind on my face once I'm on the bike. But if it helps me get on the bike in the first place, hey...it takes all sorts right?
“Bike 3 out of 5 days to the office” is a reflection of your goals as a human — fitness, enjoying the outdoors, whatever.
The problem is our natural inclination to be lazy and take the bus prevents us from accomplishing our desire to be healthier or enjoy the outdoors.
Having an explicit goal you measure the results of is a way to assess if you’re living the way you want to.
You’re captain here: no one is making you ride the bike — but if you want to ride your bike more, making that goal explicit and measured is a way to overcome your own internal conflicts preventing you from doing that.
I can't speak for the author (and indeed, from his tone, I'm inclined to agree with you that perhaps he may need to let off the throttle a bit), but taking time to set non-work goals can lead to greater mindfulness about an activity, precisely because you've spent time considering it.
If I decide that "In Q1 2021, I will be biking precisely 3 out of 5 workdays a week to the office", this might not sound 'common sense humanity', but that fact does not then preclude me from enjoying the chill of the morning wind on my face once I'm on the bike. But if it helps me get on the bike in the first place, hey...it takes all sorts right?