Dawn AI
Goal setting with Dawn
How to set, track, and update SMART recovery goals through conversation with Dawn.
Quick answer
A goal in Dawn isn't a sticky note. It's a structured target the system can reference — when you check in, when Dawn surfaces suggestions, when the weekly summary builds.
Set a goal
Three ways:
- Tell Dawn in conversation. "I want to go 30 days without porn." "I want to journal three times a week."
- Respond to a check-in suggestion. Dawn occasionally suggests goals based on patterns it sees in your check-ins.
- Use the Goals panel. In the Dawn sidebar, click Add goal for a structured form.
Dawn refines whatever you give it into the SMART format — specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound. A vague "be healthier" becomes "exercise three times a week for 20 minutes through May 31."
Goal categories
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Mental health | Mood management, stress reduction, mindfulness practice |
| Physical health | Sleep schedule, exercise, nutrition |
| Recovery | Abstinence streaks, trigger avoidance, coping practice |
| Social | Reach out weekly, attend support groups |
| Personal growth | Therapy attendance, journaling consistency |
The category determines which check-in fields contribute to progress tracking.
Track progress
Goals appear in the Dawn sidebar. Each goal shows:
- Title and category.
- Progress bar (where applicable — streaks, percentage complete).
- Time remaining.
- Last check-in that contributed to progress.
Dawn references goals naturally during conversations: "You're 12 days into your 30-day streak — how are evenings feeling?"
Update or close a goal
Goals evolve. From the Goals panel or in conversation:
- Mark complete when you've achieved it. Dawn celebrates and asks if you want to set the next one.
- Adjust the target if it was too easy or too ambitious. "Dawn, let's increase the exercise goal to four times a week."
- Replace with something better-suited. "Dawn, let's drop the journaling goal — I want to focus on sleep instead."
Tips for effective goals
- Start small. One real goal beats five aspirational ones.
- Be specific. "Exercise three times a week" beats "be more active." Dawn forces specificity by design; help it.
- Set a timeline. Open-ended goals tend to drift. A deadline creates a natural review point.
- Celebrate milestones. Hit a 7-day streak? Acknowledge it before charging at the 30-day. The arc compounds.
Common pitfalls
Setting a goal you don't actually want
Goals you wrote because you "should" rarely stick. If you find yourself dreading a goal, that's signal — it's the wrong goal, not a willpower problem. Drop it and set something you actually want to do.
Stacking too many goals
Three is plenty. Five becomes a checklist; one is more productive than five.
Next steps
- Companion memory — how Dawn keeps goals in active context.
- Recovery plans — when you want a full multi-week structure rather than individual goals.
Still need help?
Pick whichever way of getting help works best for you.
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