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3 Goal-Setting Ideas

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Get more of what you want in work and in life.

Get more of what you want in work and in life.

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Sun Mar 01 2026

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Content

Every goal that you pursue has a chance of success and a chance of failure. However, you can use a few tactics to tilt the odds in your favor and get more of what you want in work and in life.

Every goal that you pursue has a chance of success and a chance of failure. However, you can use a few tactics to tilt the odds in your favor and get more of what you want in work and in life.

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1. Think negative, not positive.

1. Think negative, not positive.

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Goals can have one outcome you desire and several potential bad outcomes. To increase your probability for success, identify the bad outcomes and make them as unlikely as possible. Anticipating obstacles and planning proactive strategies to avoid them will strengthen your ability to achieve the outcome you want.

Goals can have one outcome you desire and several potential bad outcomes. To increase your probability for success, identify the bad outcomes and make them as unlikely as possible. Anticipating obstacles and planning proactive strategies to avoid them will strengthen your ability to achieve the outcome you want.

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2. Harness the power of multiple attempts.

2. Harness the power of multiple attempts.

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A 90 percent chance of failure isn't a death sentence for your goal. It means that for every 10 attempts, there will be one success. Multiply your chances through persistence. Each attempt teaches you something new, so even failures bring you closer to that one success.

A 90 percent chance of failure isn't a death sentence for your goal. It means that for every 10 attempts, there will be one success. Multiply your chances through persistence. Each attempt teaches you something new, so even failures bring you closer to that one success.

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3. Tackle low-probability steps first.

3. Tackle low-probability steps first.

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Frontloading those action items is a smart way to fail fast, limit losses, and uncover your best opportunities. By tackling the riskiest or most uncertain steps first, you gain clarity early and can adjust your approach before investing too much time or effort.

Frontloading those action items is a smart way to fail fast, limit losses, and uncover your best opportunities. By tackling the riskiest or most uncertain steps first, you gain clarity early and can adjust your approach before investing too much time or effort.

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