The Simple Writing Habit That Makes You 42% More Likely to Succeed

What if I told you that the most powerful technology for achieving your dreams was invented over 5,000 years ago? Before smartphones tracked our goals and AI predicted our futures, ancient civilizations discovered something so fundamental about human achievement that modern neuroscience is just catching up. Their secret? The simple act of writing things down.

This wisdom appears in one of humanity's oldest texts. There's a verse in the Bible:

“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.”

– Habakkuk 2:2

This ancient instruction, from thousands of years ago, turns out to be more than just spiritual wisdom – it’s a principle backed by modern science.

A study by Dr. Gail Matthews on goal achievement found that people who wrote down their goals were 42% more likely to achieve them than those who simply thought about them. This finding resonates with what the prophet Habakkuk understood centuries ago – there's power in making our visions tangible through writing.

Beyond writing down goals, Dr. Matthews discovered that more than 70% of people who created action commitments, shared their goals and progress with a supportive friend, and stayed accountable, achieved their goals.

But why does this matter to you? In a world filled with distractions, where smartphones seem to have replaced pens and paper, the simple act of writing our goals down may seem outdated. Yet, both scripture and science tell us that this practice can significantly increase the likelihood of goal achievement.

There are four key principles that can transform the outcomes for your goals:

1. The power of writing your goals (connect biblical wisdom with neuroscience)

2. Make it simple and visible (why simplicity and visibility catalyze action)

3. Take action (turn written words into tangible results)

4. Stay committed (don’t quit before you achieve your goals)

I. The Power of Writing Your Vision

One of the saddest realities in some African cultures is the lack of the written word. Black Africans have a rich cultural heritage and oral history passed down from generation to generation, but much of it was lost over time. This sad reality gives weight to the saying:

“The faintest ink is more powerful than the strongest memory.”

– Chinese proverb

This quote holds truth. Personally, I can’t recall many of the folktales I heard as a child, but I know that writing preserves thoughts and words.

Let’s look at the science. Research has shown that writing by hand activates more brain networks than typing, especially in regions linked to memory and sensory processing.

While typing your goals is certainly better than doing nothing at all, who wouldn’t want to activate more brain networks? And here’s another interesting thought: Have you ever noticed how, once you decide to buy a particular car, you suddenly see it everywhere? That’s your Reticular Activating System (RAS) at work, filtering what you perceive based on what you’ve decided is important to you.

So, if you decide to buy a 2024 red Honda Accord, your RAS will help you notice more Honda cars and fewer white Mercedes. In the same way, writing down your goals may activate your RAS, making you more attuned to the resources, people, and tools that can help you achieve those goals.

What if writing down your goals activates the RAS better than typing them? Perhaps, but at the very least, it’s a step toward focusing your brain on what matters.

II. Making Goals Plain

Research suggests that setting clear, visible goals helps people focus on what truly matters and avoid distractions.

Distraction is a major reason people fail to achieve their goals. For example, let’s say I set a goal to write 13 newsletters in the first quarter of 2025 and post pins to Pinterest. That’s a clear goal. But if I find myself getting distracted by setting up my Instagram or other platforms, I’ll lose focus on my core objectives.

Research supports the idea that making your goals visible can significantly enhance recall. Your RAS tells your brain what to focus on, so having your goals clearly displayed might increase your receptivity to the opportunities and resources that can help you meet them.

Let me share a story that changed how I think about goal visibility. At 25, Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, wrote in her journal that she would one day invent a product that would reach millions. She didn’t know what it would be, but she was certain of one thing: it had to make people feel good.

Two years later, while working as a door-to-door salesperson, Sara had an idea. She was wearing pantyhose in the Florida heat, and while she appreciated the slimming effect, she hated the visible seams in open-toe shoes. So, she snipped off the feet of her pantyhose and wore them under her slacks. This small experiment sparked the idea that would later revolutionize women’s fashion.

Drawing from her experience with goal setting, Sara recommends placing your goals where you can see them and looking at them every day. The benefits are evident in Sara’s results. She became the youngest self-made female billionaire in 2012.

Visualizing your goals helps keep you accountable and focused on taking action.

III. Be the First to Run with Your Vision

Setting and visualizing goals is important, but execution is everything. It might be tempting to wait for clients, customers, or universal approval, but sitting still won’t make your vision a reality. True visionaries don’t wait for permission; they take decisive action.

The reality is that others may not yet see what you see, and that’s okay. Instead of waiting for others to catch up, use the time to build. Write that business plan, develop that prototype, make those calls, or perfect your pitch. While others are still trying to understand your idea, you can be bringing it to life.

Don’t let a small audience, even if it’s just friends and family who support or doubt your vision, stop you from moving forward. Let their presence fuel your determination to demonstrate what’s possible through consistent action.

Vision without action is merely a dream. Your daily choices—the early mornings, the late nights, the countless revisions—these are what transform your vision from an idea into reality. If you're not willing to put in the work to make your vision clear and accessible to others, how can you expect them to invest in its potential?

Start running with your vision today, and others will eventually join the race.

Martin Luther King Jr. perfectly illustrates this principle. Long before his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963, MLK was actively pursuing his vision for civil rights. His first public speech in 1944, as a college student, was a testament to his commitment. He didn’t just talk about change, organized rallies, led peaceful protests, and consistently worked to make his vision a reality.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were passed as a direct result of his tireless action. Even today, his legacy continues to inspire generations of people to take action in their own lives.

IV Stay Committed

Vision doesn’t materialize overnight. Just ask Sara Blakely, who was 25 when she wrote her vision for Spanx, or Martin Luther King Jr., whose public advocacy began in 1944 and culminated in the 1963 March on Washington. Both of these iconic figures stayed committed through years of hard work and challenges.

Your vision might not seem world-changing, but it could be the start of something significant. Maybe it’s growing your email list to 1,000 subscribers, creating multiple income streams, or reaching $10,000 in sales. When progress feels slow, it’s tempting to give up. But remember: every significant achievement began with someone staying committed through the difficult days.

As the Bible says:

“Though it lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”
– Habakkuk 2:3

And Proverbs reminds us:

“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”
– Proverbs 21:5a

If you don’t already have a vision, take the first step and write it down today.

"Write it. Simplify it. Run with it. Watch it come to life."