The best goals are binary: They’re so specific you can’t help but know whether you have achieved them or not. They’re also based on an activity, not a hard-to-quantify state of mind or state of being. “Better shape” means nothing; “run the D.C. Marathon” means not just running any marathon—easier or harder—but running the Marine Corps Marathon held in Washington, D.C. Fuzzy goals are meaningless. The best goals are goals you can see and taste and visualize in great detail, because they’re based on a real accomplishment and not a vague statement of intent.
