Goal-Setting Tip #12

Write goals as outcomes, rather than processes. Roy Lantz says that the way to phrase a good goal is to say what you want the outcome to be. So, Lantz says, "'Learn to speak Spanish' is not as effective as 'I converse easily in Spanish.'" He also recommends phrasing your goal positively. Saying "'I am a non-smoker,'" he says, "is more powerful than, 'I don't smoke anymore.'" You can then chop the goal into more manageable pieces (if needed) and get to work. As you work on the goal, focusing on your intended outcome (while performing the manageable pieces) will give you energy and enthusiasm.