--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A goal that is not in writing is like…" description: "\"A goal that is not in writing is like cigarette smoke: It drifts away and disappears. It is vague and insubstantial. It has no force, effect, or power...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f55/brian-tracy-216_cigarette_a-goal-that-is-not-in-writing-is-like-ci_1630992.jpg" --- # A goal that is not in writing is like cigarette smoke: It… ![“A goal that is not in writing is like cigarette smoke: It drifts away and disappears. It is vague and insubstantial. It has no force, effect, or power. But a written goal becomes something that you can see, touch, read, and modify if necessary.” quote by Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f55/brian-tracy-216_cigarette_a-goal-that-is-not-in-writing-is-like-ci_1630992.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f55/brian-tracy-216_cigarette_a-goal-that-is-not-in-writing-is-like-ci_1630992.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f55/brian-tracy-216_cigarette_a-goal-that-is-not-in-writing-is-like-ci_1630992.jpg) > “A goal that is not in writing is like cigarette smoke: It drifts away and disappears. It is vague and insubstantial. It has no force, effect, or power. But a written goal becomes something that you can see, touch, read, and modify if necessary.” [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing goals makes them concrete, tangible, and actionable, unlike vague mental intentions that fade. **In simple terms:** Written goals are concrete and actionable. Key Takeaway Write down goals to make them real. Themes goal setting clarity productivity Mood focused determined Type motivational practical When to use this quote - personal planning - project management - team objectives - performance reviews Key Concepts psychology of intention behavioral commitment Questions to Reflect On - How does writing a goal change your commitment? - What steps follow after writing? A Different Perspective Writing alone doesn’t guarantee success; execution matters. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cigarette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cigarette/) [Cigarette smoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cigarette-smoke/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Smoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smoke/) [Vague](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vague/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Written goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/written-goals/) ## Related quotes > [“A goal that is not written is not a goal. It only becomes real when you write it down.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/a-goal-that-is-not-written-is-not-a-goal-it-only-becomes-real-when/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“The Bible says in Habakkuk 2:2, “Write the vision and make it plain.” The written goal is the breakfast of champions. You just can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-ramsey/the-bible-says-in-habakkuk-2-2-write-the-vision-and-make-it-plain-the/) [Dave Ramsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-ramsey/) > [Goals that are not written down and developed into plans are like bullets without powder in the cartridge. People with unwritten goals go through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/goals-that-are-not-written-down-and-developed-into-plans-are-like/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [Only three percent of adults have written goals, and everyone else works for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/only-three-percent-of-adults-have-written-goals-and-everyone-else/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [According to the best research, less than 3% of Americans have written goals, and less than 1% review and rewrite their goals on a daily basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/according-to-the-best-research-less-than-3-of-americans-have-written/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [Clear, written goals have a wonderful effect on your thinking. They motivate you and galvanize you into action. They stimulate your creativity, release your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/clear-written-goals-have-a-wonderful-effect-on-your-thinking-they/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [People with clear, written goals, accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without them could ever imagine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/people-with-clear-written-goals-accomplish-far-more-in-a-shorter/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [“Unsuccessful people carry their goals around in their head like marbles rattling around in a can, and we say a goal that is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hardy/unsuccessful-people-carry-their-goals-around-in-their-head-like/) [Darren Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hardy/) > [I don't sit down with a goal of writing. I read books or magazines. I watch TV. I go to the doctor. I get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-regan/i-don-t-sit-down-with-a-goal-of-writing-i-read-books-or-magazines-i/) [Brian Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-regan/) > [The goal is not writing. The goal is being a human being writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-b-longyear/the-goal-is-not-writing-the-goal-is-being-a-human-being-writing/) [Barry B. Longyear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-b-longyear/) > [“My goal when writing is to engage the reader. Having my words play out like a movie - Rewarding. Having the reader wanting more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cook-howard/my-goal-when-writing-is-to-engage-the-reader-having-my-words-play-out/) Elizabeth Cook-Howard > [“The ultimate goal of writing is forgiveness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katerina-stoykova-klemer/the-ultimate-goal-of-writing-is-forgiveness/) [Katerina Stoykova Klemer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katerina-stoykova-klemer/) > [The first goal of writing is to have one's words read successfully.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-breault/the-first-goal-of-writing-is-to-have-one-s-words-read-successfully/) [Robert Breault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-breault/) > [Complete vulnerability is my constant goal in writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jelly-roll/complete-vulnerability-is-my-constant-goal-in-writing/) [Jelly Roll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jelly-roll/) > [ Yeah, the main goal when I'm writing \[movie scripts\] is to entertain myself. It's supposed to be funny, but then a funny idea can… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-dupieux/yeah-the-main-goal-when-i-m-writing-movie-scripts-is-to-entertain/) [Quentin Dupieux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-dupieux/) ## More by Brian Tracy > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [According to the best research, less than 3% of Americans have written goals, and less than 1% review and rewrite their goals on a daily basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/according-to-the-best-research-less-than-3-of-americans-have-written/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [“Rumi says: ‘die before you die’. It means live each moment fully. 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Walk softly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/the-effective-leader-recognizes-that-she-is-more-dependent-on-her/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [Develop a mentor at each stage of your career - someone who will give you guidance and advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/develop-a-mentor-at-each-stage-of-your-career-someone-who-will-give/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [I believe each person has far more intelligence than they have ever used.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-believe-each-person-has-far-more-intelligence-than-they-have-ever/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [Our mind is the most valuable possession that we have. The quality of our lives is, and will be, a reflection of how well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/our-mind-is-the-most-valuable-possession-that-we-have-the-quality-of/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [Intense, burning desire is the motivational force that enables you to overcome any obstacle and achieve almost any goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/intense-burning-desire-is-the-motivational-force-that-enables-you-to/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [Any system or blueprint for success is better than none at all. Think on paper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/any-system-or-blueprint-for-success-is-better-than-none-at-all-think/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [Being true to yourself means living in truth with each person in your life. 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Unless I inform you otherwise, I'm always smoking another cigarette.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-amis/yeah-i-said-and-started-smoking-another-cigarette-unless-i-inform-you/) [Martin Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-amis/) > [Books were always important. I have to thank my father, he filled my life with books. He didn't write but he always read. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rawi-hage/books-were-always-important-i-have-to-thank-my-father-he-filled-my/) [Rawi Hage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rawi-hage/) > [The risk of developing carcinoma of the lung increases steadily as the amount smoked increases. 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As this 14-24 age group matures, they will account for a key share of the total cigarette…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-j-reynolds/they-represent-tomorrow-s-cigarette-business-as-this-14-24-age-group/) [R. J. Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-j-reynolds/) > [If all boys could be made to know that with every breath of cigarette smoke they inhale imbecility and exhale manhood ... and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hudson-maxim/if-all-boys-could-be-made-to-know-that-with-every-breath-of-cigarette/) Hudson Maxim > [The ratings thing is the real issue. It really hurts movies. For example, in Redbelt, I smoked. The whole plot of my character was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-mortimer/the-ratings-thing-is-the-real-issue-it-really-hurts-movies-for/) [Emily Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-mortimer/) > [I am a completely horizontal author. I can't think unless I'm lying down, either in bed or stretched on a couch and with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-brown/i-am-a-completely-horizontal-author-i-can-t-think-unless-i-m-lying/) [Dan Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-brown/) > [They should give until it hurts, maybe a very small thing, maybe just a packet of cigarettes, but instead of by smoking that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/they-should-give-until-it-hurts-maybe-a-very-small-thing-maybe-just-a/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [You can accept or reject the way you are treated by other people, but until you heal the wounds of your past, you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/you-can-accept-or-reject-the-way-you-are-treated-by-other-people-but/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [Then he bummed a cigarette.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-rogers/then-he-bummed-a-cigarette/) [Kenny Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-rogers/) > [You're a religious man, ... You believe in God and life after death. I also believe. When we come to the other world and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-wiesenthal/you-re-a-religious-man-you-believe-in-god-and-life-after-death-i-also/) [Simon Wiesenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-wiesenthal/) [Browse all 787 Cigarette quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cigarette/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A goal that is not in writing is like cigarette smoke: It drifts away and disappears. It is vague and insubstantial. It has no force, effect, or power. 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