Your goal is specific if it's clearly defined, leaving little room for ambiguity. Specificity ensures you know exactly what you're trying to achieve, making it easier to plan, measure progress, and stay motivated.
Here's how to assess the specificity of your goal:
- What exactly do you want to achieve? Avoid vague terms and use precise language.
- What are the concrete actions involved? A specific goal includes actionable steps.
- What are the key metrics or indicators? Define quantifiable ways to measure success.
- What are the desired outcomes? Clearly state the end result you're aiming for.
- When do you want to achieve it? Set a realistic and clearly defined deadline.
Let's consider a few examples:
| Vague Goal | Specific Goal |
|---|---|
| "I want to get fit." | "I want to run a 5k in under 30 minutes by December 31st." |
| "I want to save money." | "I want to save \$500 per month for the next 6 months for a down payment." |
| "I want to learn a skill." | "I want to learn Python programming and complete a basic project by July 1st." |
Notice how the specific goals in the table above answer the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How questions. They are detailed and easier to visualize and attain.
To determine if your goal is specific, ask yourself if someone else could read it and understand exactly what you're trying to accomplish without needing further clarification. If the answer is yes, your goal is likely specific. If not, refine it until it achieves that level of clarity.
