--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Only three percent of adults have written…" description: "\"Only three percent of adults have written goals, and everyone else works for them.\" — Brian Tracy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6f/brian-tracy-216_adults_only-three-percent-of-adults-have-writte_2120786.jpg" --- # Only three percent of adults have written goals, and… ![“Only three percent of adults have written goals, and everyone else works for them.” quote by Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6f/brian-tracy-216_adults_only-three-percent-of-adults-have-writte_2120786.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6f/brian-tracy-216_adults_only-three-percent-of-adults-have-writte_2120786.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6f/brian-tracy-216_adults_only-three-percent-of-adults-have-writte_2120786.jpg) > “Only three percent of adults have written goals, and everyone else works for them.” [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. Few people set written goals; most become employees working toward others' objectives, limiting personal agency. **In simple terms:** Writing goals empowers personal direction and achievement. Key Takeaway Write clear goals to steer your own path. Themes goal setting personal agency productivity leadership self‑direction Mood motivational encouraging practical Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - personal development - entrepreneurship - team leadership - coaching Key Concepts written goals motivation self‑management career planning Questions to Reflect On - What prevents people from writing goals? - How can you motivate others to set personal objectives? A Different Perspective Not everyone thrives on written goals; some prefer flexible approaches. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adults](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adults/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Written goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/written-goals/) ## Related quotes > [Leo's goals are works of art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-rijkaard/leo-s-goals-are-works-of-art/) [Frank Rijkaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-rijkaard/) > [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/) > [A goal that is not in writing is like cigarette smoke: It drifts away and disappears. It is vague and insubstantial. It has no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/a-goal-that-is-not-in-writing-is-like-cigarette-smoke-it-drifts-away/) [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [Amazingly, only 15 percent of U.S. adults engage in regular vigorous physical activity, and 60 percent report getting effectively no exercise at all from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-zane-pilzer/amazingly-only-15-percent-of-u-s-adults-engage-in-regular-vigorous/) [Paul Zane Pilzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-zane-pilzer/) > [Only 1 to 2 percent of adults have a real food allergy. This gluten thing is a... whatever. It's not an allergy for most people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harley-pasternak/only-1-to-2-percent-of-adults-have-a-real-food-allergy-this-gluten/) [Harley Pasternak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harley-pasternak/) > [“However, research now shows that less than 50 percent of adults and children with reported cases of Lyme disease exhibit the EM rash.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-singleton/however-research-now-shows-that-less-than-50-percent-of-adults-and/) [Kenneth Singleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-singleton/) > [Ninety eight percent of the adults in this country are decent, hardworking, honest Americans. 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It's the other lousy two percent that get all the publicity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-tomlin/ninety-eight-percent-of-the-adults-in-this-country-are-decent-hard/) [Lily Tomlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-tomlin/) > [According to a new survey, 40 percent of adults in Mexico say they would move to the United States if they got a chance.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conan-o-brien/according-to-a-new-survey-40-percent-of-adults-in-mexico-say-they/) [Conan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conan-o-brien/) ## 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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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. It means refusing to say or do something that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/being-true-to-yourself-means-living-in-truth-with-each-person-in-your/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [The happiest people in the world are those who feel absolutely terrific about themselves, and this is the natural outgrowth of accepting total responsibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/the-happiest-people-in-the-world-are-those-who-feel-absolutely/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [The value of a promise is the cost to you of keeping your word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/the-value-of-a-promise-is-the-cost-to-you-of-keeping-your-word/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) [Explore all 882 Brian Tracy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) ## More Adults quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [Behind every successful child is an adult who believed in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/behind-every-successful-child-is-an-adult-who-believed-in-him/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. 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I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance”: “The differences between expert performers and normal adults are not immutable, that is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-anders-ericsson/the-role-of-deliberate-practice-in-the-acquisition-of-expert/) K. 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They will not stay with you if you go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/kids-if-anything-are-harder-to-write-for-because-they-are-a-more/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [On the one hand, we had great filmic spectacles that brought in big audiences, adults as well as primary and secondary school students. On…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrzej-wajda/on-the-one-hand-we-had-great-filmic-spectacles-that-brought-in-big/) [Andrzej Wajda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-wajda/) > [It's hard to change adults, and it's hard to change it from a political position or a perceived political position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/it-s-hard-to-change-adults-and-it-s-hard-to-change-it-from-a/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [When I was a child at sixteen, I was just a child. All sixteen year-olds are just children. As much as we like them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/when-i-was-a-child-at-sixteen-i-was-just-a-child-all-sixteen-year/) [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) [Browse all 3,113 Adults quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adults/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Only three percent of adults have written goals, and everyone else works for them.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Brian Tracy" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/only-three-percent-of-adults-have-written-goals-and-everyone-else/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Adults" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/only-three-percent-of-adults-have-written-goals-and-everyone-else/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6f/brian-tracy-216_adults_only-three-percent-of-adults-have-writte_2120786.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6f/brian-tracy-216_adults_only-three-percent-of-adults-have-writte_2120786.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e6f/brian-tracy-216_adults_only-three-percent-of-adults-have-writte_2120786.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Only three percent of adults have written goals, and everyone else works for them.” — Brian Tracy", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Brian Tracy", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Only three percent of adults have...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/only-three-percent-of-adults-have-written-goals-and-everyone-else/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/only-three-percent-of-adults-have-written-goals-and-everyone-else/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```