Decide What “Done” Means Before You Begin

A goal can keep expanding long after it has served its purpose. Before you commit, define a finish line in three parts:

• Outcome: What meaningful change are you choosing?
• Evidence: What would be enough to show you made progress?
• Boundary: What are you not required to add or prove?

For example: “I want to understand the basics of gardening. I’ll finish one beginner guide and try growing one plant. I don’t need to turn this into a perfect garden.”

That boundary isn’t a lack of ambition. It makes the commitment yours—and gives you a fair point to decide whether to stop, celebrate, or choose a next step. A goal doesn’t need endless expansion to count as worthwhile.