What Are Better Goals?

I think best goals are the ones that builds your characters and are more process-driven. That means "showing off six pack abs and packing 15 lb of muscle" is a good and specific goal. But setting a goal to lift weight at least 3 times a week for rest of the year is a better goal. It helps to build a character and make someone more process-driven. I won't get too much disappointed if I can't make it to 9% body fat to get my 6 pack abs, or eat more food to make it to 15 pound of muscle mass. All it matters is that I focused on enjoying the process, and at least follow through. That actually is much more rewarding than the outcome because in the end you become someone better, stronger, and efficient than 365 days ago. You become a better person than most average people who just live their lives, go with flow, and depends on luck. Here are few examples to compare bad, good and better goals -

Here are some "bad" goals:

1. I will lose some weight this year to make myself look better.
2. I want to quit smoking, and go cold turkey.
3. I will get a better job.

Here are "good" version (more specific & has deadline) of the goals:

1. I will drop my body fat to 10% by losing 15 pounds, and pack at least 10 or more pounds of muscle mass by December 30, 2014.
2. I will read 10 quit smoking related books, and completely stop smoking till July 30, 2014 
3. I will submit resumes to 1000 places to get 30 job interviews by December 30, 2014.

Here are "better" version (more specific, has deadline, and process driven) of the goals:

1. I will drop my body fat to 10% by losing 15 pounds, and pack at least 10 or more pounds of muscle mass by December 30, 2014. I will lift weight 3 or more time a week (that is non-negotiable), and plan my daily food intake (calorie surplus/deficit) every week which I will follow through no matter what.
2. I will read 10 quit smoking related books, and completely stop smoking till December 30, 2014. I will drop my smoking to only 2 cigarettes per week until I get comfortable to quit completely.  
3. I will submit resumes to 1000 places to get 30 job interviews by December 30, 2014. I will apply for 2 or more jobs every day for the remaining part of the year, attend at least 1 social event per month to network with professional to grab few business cards, and perform 2 or more cold calls once a week.

The process I mentioned mayn't be effective. I just wrote them down to prove my point. Even if you can't reach your goals by the end of the year, you can at least give yourself a pat in your back to follow through until the end. Achieving goal doesn't mean a shit. It will make you feel better for couple days, then you go back to normal. It's much better if you make something out of yourself while achieving goals - by being disciplined, consistent, hardworking, methodical, social, courageous etc.

Hope it helps to shed some light on making better goals!