This is a solid topic for discussion. Nice approach to bring in psych research areas.

Consider breaking down the goal to actionable steps that make progress. Your picture examples of writing and losing weight are overcoming undesirable habits. This is one subset of goals.

All commenters have valid additions.

**Goal setting tip: Don't set a goal about money. It has no intrinsic value beyond your basic food and shelter. Set your goals for things that truly will change your life. The money will come from living life like this.**
I find it interesting that you would write that having a financial goal isn't a good goal to desire. People don't earn $25,000 because they want to, it's because they lack the awareness of how to make $50,000. When people desire to earn a specific amount of money, they are looking to change their lifestyle and that's a great goal. And I think you can earn money doing anything that you love to do.

Great article. I look forward to your next post.

I'm currently setting my personal and business goals for the next 12-18 mo. They are extremely ambitious, so I can't share them with most of the people I know, but I have some support systems I'm setting up.

Thanks for a great article!!

HOWEVER, I believe it's quite different when you're losing pregnancy weight. You not only lose weight when you deliver the baby but you can also lose quite a lot of weight naturally just by breast feeding. Many women find it hard to lose weight when they've just had a baby because they're tired, their fitness may be down especially if they had to restrict activity during pregnancy, hormones might make them feel hungry. But it's also quite common and normal to lose a lot of weight from breast feeding if you are not eating huge portions and you are exercising. It's important to make sure that you get enough nutrients to produce healthy breast milk and get enough energy, but you don't actually need to "eat for two".

Disclaimer: I am not speaking from actual experience and I wouldn't presume to say that it's an easy thing to do, or imply that women should feel compelled to lose weight immediately after having a baby. I'm just saying that medically, losing 40lb in two months after having a baby is not the same as losing 40lb in two months in normal life. It's not your body's natural weight so weight loss can be quickened simply by your body returning to its normal state, as well as the diet and exercise.