Last time we left our hero hanging by his fingernails on the precipice of a goal setting exercise. Well, in true comic book fashion, with one might leap he was free.

I gave the matter some thought. The reason that I hated the goal setting process at The Corporation was that their process was crap and nonsensical. My fat reduction goals would be real-world and meaningful. The reason that my own business goals didn't work was that I was being driven by external forces out of my control. My fat reduction goals would be based on things that were under my control. Best of all, the only person appraising myself against these goals would be me. I'm normally harsh but fair when it comes to self-appraisal!

So I resolved to write these goals. As it turned out, Tom's book made this really easy. He gives clear guidance on the types of goals that you should set yourself and how these should be written. He also gives lots of examples. So, here are my goals:

• I eat five balanced nutritious meals per day.
• I avoid all foods on the bad list except, occasionally, white bread and bacon.
• I exercise daily (except for Sundays), with cardio and weight training on alternate days and I record my results.
• Every week I weigh myself and check body fat and I record these figures.
• I am on track towards reducing my body fat by 3% by December 15th 2006.
• My improved nutrition and exercise regimes are giving me considerable improvements in motivation and energy.
• By April 2007 I have lost my spare tyre and am needing to replace all my trousers.
• By June 2007 I have a body which I am proud to display on the beach. It is the envy of most 40+ men.
• I am progressing well towards my long term goal of 12% body fat.

You'll notice that these goals are written in the present tense. There's a really good reason for that, but its beyond the scope of this blog to tell you why. It's all in the book.