Right then, let’s get straight to it… What do I always say about success and goal setting?
“Success comes from goals — and goal setting equals success. Everything else? Wishing, guessing, and idle chit-chat.”
I’ve said it for years. Why? Because it’s true. And it’s the foundation of all personal development work we do at UKCPD.
Let me be really clear — Clarity is not just helpful… it’s essential. Without it, we wander, we guess, we procrastinate. But with it? With clarity? You move. You act. You build. Clarity creates confidence, direction, and momentum. That’s why I often say that clarity is the starting point of all high achievement.
Clarity = Progress
One of my early mentors, Brian Tracy, summed it up beautifully: “Success is goals, and all else is commentary.” He also said that clarity alone probably accounts for 80% of success and happiness. And I believe that.
The research backs it up too. People with clear, written goals consistently outperform those who rely on vague intention. It’s not magic. It’s structure. It’s discipline. It’s clarity.
So if you want a shortcut to success — write it down.
Write It. Rewrite It. Live It.
Here’s the trick. Don’t just think about your goals. Write them down. Then rewrite them. Think about them often. Why? Because repetition deepens clarity. And clarity fuels action. You’ll start doing more of the right things, and less of the stuff that drains your energy and wastes your time.
Want a simple way to kick this into gear?
The 7-Step Clarity & Goal-Setting Process
(Thanks again to Brian Tracy for this — I’ve used and taught it for decades.)
Decide exactly what you want — Be specific. No waffle.
Write it down — in detail. Sensory-rich. Make it real.
Set a deadline — Break it into chunks if it’s a big one.
List everything you’ll need to do — People, steps, knowledge — everything.
Organise the list into a plan — Prioritise. Sequence. Tidy it up.
Take action immediately — Don’t overthink. Start.
Do something every day — Build the habit. Create momentum.
This method works. Every. Single. Time. If you work it.
Want to Be in the Top 3%?
Here’s a wild stat: Less than 3% of adults write down their goals and work on them daily. But guess what? That 3% also enjoy 10x more success, fulfilment, and progress than the rest.
Be in that 3%. It’s not crowded there. And it’s worth the effort.
Review. Reflect. Realign.
Review your goals regularly. Update them. Add new ones. Delete outdated ones. Make it your map. Your blueprint. Your commitment to yourself.
This is how we go from “someday” to done.
Make This Real – Right Now
Here’s a task to get you going:
Write down 10 goals you’d love to achieve in the next year. Use present tense. Imagine it’s already done.
Now, circle the one goal that, if achieved, would create the biggest positive impact in your life.
That’s your “major definite purpose” — the big one.
Apply the 7-step process to it. Today. Not next week. Now.
And finally — remember this powerful NLP presupposition:
“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always had.”
So… what’s it going to be?
Clarity or confusion?
Momentum or maybes?
Get clear. Get going. You’ve got this.
Additional Resources
Think BIG – The Journal of Personal Development (2023) – Why using your SMARTS is Better than just being SMART!
Think BIG – The Journal of Personal Development (2024) – Why Setting Small Goals Can be a Strategy for Personal Growth
Think BIG – The Journal of Personal Development (2019) – How Successful People Create Success
