Setting goals is powerful, but goals without clear outcomes are like destinations without a map. To truly make progress, we need to know exactly what we're working toward. Clear outcomes create direction and purpose.
The Why:
When you define the outcome you’re aiming for, your brain shifts into problem-solving mode. Vague goals like “get healthier” or “be more productive” may sound good, but they don’t give you a finish line to move toward. Specific outcomes, on the other hand, give your goal clarity and structure, making it far easier to take intentional action.
The Statistic:
A University of Scranton study revealed that 92% of people never achieve their goals, and most of those failures come from a lack of defined outcomes. If you don’t know what success looks like, how will you know when you’ve arrived? This makes it easy to drift, stall, or give up entirely.
The Benefit:
Outcomes provide clarity, motivation, and a measurable finish line. When you can visualize the result, you tap into deeper motivation and build momentum faster. You can track progress, celebrate milestones, and course-correct as needed. Outcomes keep you focused on what matters most.
In fact, according to Dr. Gail Matthews from Dominican University,
“People who write down their outcomes are 42% more likely to achieve them.”
So the next time you set a goal, take it one step further—define what success looks like. Be as specific as possible. That one step may be the difference between dreaming and achieving.