BS detector: Is it measurable?

He's a quick test of your bullsh*t detector.

Which of these sounds more like BS than the other?

"The finish line is closer than ever."
"The finish line is finally in sight."

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...

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I’m picking the first one.

What’s the difference?

• “Closer than ever” could mean anything. It only means that you haven't moved backward, but it says nothing about how close you are.

• “Finally in sight” actually describes something specific about the distance remaining.

Okay, here’s one that's even less meaningful:

“We’ve come so far!”

This describes only how far you’ve come. It says nothing about what remains to the finish. Heck, there may not even be a finish line.

Here’s the thing:

Getting close to a goal is a powerful motivator. Nobody wants to give up when they’re close.

But that implies a few important elements:

• There is a specific goal to be reached.

• You know what that goal looks like.

• You know why that goal is important.

Of course, there will always be another goal to reach. Many of us are working on a mission that, for all we know, will never truly be fulfilled.

But having a specific and recognizable goal, even if we know it’s not the Completion Of All Good Things, gives us something to strive for.

That’s true for me, and for you, and for the people you’re aiming to motivate.

I hope you never tire of working hard to "make things better." That’s a good thing.

And while you’re doing that, I hope you remember the value of defining, and naming, measurable goals that you and your people can strive for.

All the best,
A.