Clarity of purpose
Goal clarity is the degree to which you know what is to be achieved, how to progress, and why the goal is important.
Definition
A goal only becomes useful when it is sufficiently specific, understandable and related to action. Clarity of purpose reduces cognitive chaos, facilitates the selection of priorities and reduces the number of spurious decisions. It's not about rigidity, but about orientation: knowing where to go and when to correct course.
Key ideas
- Concreteness
- Criteria for progress
- Connection with the meaning of action
Practice and life
Write the goal in one sentence and below it three criteria: result, deadline and first measurable step.
Common misconceptions
It is a mistake to confuse a goal with a loose desire. A common mistake is to formulate the goal so generally that it is impossible to distinguish action from circling around the topic.
> The goal will remain vague until you think long enough about whether it is something you really want.
> — Guru Element
Questions for self-reflection
- What exactly do I want to achieve?
- How will I know if I'm going in the right direction?
- What first step can I take today?