The consensus seems to be that high achievers always have clear goals, all formulated in an orderly way.

Goal-writing can:

1. Force us to choose. Too often, we want many things, and scatter our attention and time among them. Selecting a small number of targets can help us prioritize.
2. Help us focus our efforts. By defining what we want to achieve and writing it down, vague desires or wishes can turn into action-items and become concrete plans.
3. Attract allies who can help us, and help keep us accountable. It creates synergy, power and enthusiasm. Setting clear expectations can help us reach them.

Some disadvantages are:

1. By focusing our attention to the future, goals can rob us of the present. If we get too caught up by a long-term vision, we forget to live the present and experience the here and now.
2. Goals can prevent us from attending to or ignoring vital opportunities if we get fixated too much on them. We may be blind to other alternatives that may come about.
3. Goals can become excuses to avoid doing what we can and should do today.

It is beneficial to have written objectives that are measurable and lead us to successful outcomes.

However, leave some room for improvisation, living life in an open-ended way, enjoying the present, learning and celebrating daily experiences.

Best,
Ella