Most goals die because they are vague. “Be healthier,” “find balance,” “work harder” - they sound good, but they do not tell your brain what to do today. If a goal is fuzzy, action is fuzzy. The fix is simple and powerful. I call it the 10-word promise.
The 10-word promise turns a nice intention into a clear commitment you can keep. If you can’t say your goal in 10 words or less, it’s too fuzzy to follow.
Why vague goals fail
Vague goals create vague days. Without a crisp target, your brain drifts and your calendar fills with noise. You make progress everywhere and get results nowhere. Clients tell me they “worked on it,” but nothing changed. That’s not a motivation problem. It’s a clarity problem.
When we tighten the words, we tighten the actions. Clear words create clear behavior.
The power of the 10-word promise
The rule is simple: say what you will do in 10 words or less. If you need more words, you don’t yet know what you mean. The 10-word limit forces you to choose a verb, a unit, and a cadence. Your brain finally gets a command it can execute.
A good test is the six-year-old rule: can a child repeat your goal to another child without losing meaning? If not, keep cutting until they can.
Fuzzy vs sharp
Fuzzy: “I want to get in shape.”
Sharp: “Train 20 minutes before work, 3 times a week.”
Fuzzy: “I need more balance.”
Sharp: “Leave office by 6:00 p.m. Monday to Wednesday.”
Fuzzy: “I should write more.”
Sharp: “Write 300 words after dinner, 4 nights a week.”
Fuzzy: “I’ll be better with money.”
Sharp: “Save €200 on the 1st of every month.”
Client story - Sarah’s 6:00 p.m. promise
Sarah told me she wanted “better work-life balance.” For three months she worked late and felt guilty at home. We wrote one line together: “Home by 6:00 p.m. for dinner with family.” Ten words. A clear promise. The next day she blocked her calendar, set a 17:30 shutdown routine, and told her team. Two weeks later she had six family dinners and finished more deep work than the month before. The difference wasn’t more effort. It was a better sentence.
How to craft your 10-word promise
Step 1 - Write the fuzzy goal.
Put down the first version exactly as you’d say it today.
Step 2 - Cut it to 10 words or less.
Choose one specific behavior, one time window, and one cadence. Numbers beat adjectives. “20 minutes” beats “more.” “Monday to Wednesday” beats “often.”
Step 3 - Make it observable.
If I watched your day like a body-cam, would I see you do it? If not, tighten the wording.
Step 4 - Run the six-year-old test.
Ask a child to repeat it. If they change the meaning, simplify.
Step 5 - Place the promise where it triggers action.
Calendar block, phone alarm, sticky note on the fridge, or a shutdown checklist. Promises need placement.
Why this works
Your brain loves short, concrete instructions. Ten words force you to choose the action that matters and ditch everything else. That precision reduces friction and decision fatigue. You stop negotiating with yourself and start executing.
This is also why in the 4P Clarity Method we never leave goals at the “nice sentence” stage. We compress them into a promise your day can carry. Clarity creates consistency. Consistency creates results.
Common mistakes to avoid
Too many promises at once. Pick one or two. Seven promises split attention seven ways.
Using adjectives instead of numbers. “More,” “better,” and “often” do not guide behavior. Use minutes, counts, or days.
Hiding the price. Every yes hides a no. Name the toll you are willing to pay - earlier bedtime, fewer meetings, one streaming night less.
Make yours now
Take a goal you care about and write a 10-word promise. If it feels too small, good. Small wins compound. If it feels uncomfortable, also good. That’s the 15 percent stretch you need to grow without burning out.
Once your promise fits in ten words, put it on your calendar and live it for two weeks. Then review. If it’s working, keep it. If not, adjust the words until your day can carry them.
Want a personalized clarity system?
If this resonates, don’t stop here. You can have a tailored blueprint built around your exact goals, challenges, and energy patterns.
👉 See the full 4P Clarity Method here:
https://coachraido.com/4p-clarity-method/