Bad examples: “I want a computer”; “Buy a computer.” (it is important to be more specific)
Good example: “I want to buy a $500 used Apple computer within
six months without borrowing money from others.”
“What do I want?” = “A $500 used Apple computer.”
“When do I want it?” = “Within six months.”
(Next he needs to specify when he wants it. The best way for him to close the gap between his current situation (no computer) and his goal (buy a computer) changes depending on when he actually needs the computer. If he just wants a computer within the next three years, he may be able to buy it by simply saving his money. However, if he wants to buy it within the next six months, he may have to do more than save. He may have to look for new sources of income)
“How do I want to get it?” = “I want to buy it without borrowing
money from others.”
(If you have specific conditions for achieving your goal, you should include them in the goal statement)
The more specific the goal is, the more specific the action plan will be. Whenever you set a goal, get into the habit of asking yourself, “What specifically do I want to achieve? When do I want to achieve it? What specific conditions do I have?