Donald Deibler has made a simple but firm rule: no goal counts unless it is written down first. The Hegins, Pennsylvania, business owner sets yearly goals every January 1 and monthly goals at the start of each month, keeping both lists in front of him daily. The policy is straightforward, but its implications extend beyond personal organization. In an era of constant distractions, Deibler's approach underscores a fundamental truth: written goals are more likely to be pursued and achieved. For entrepreneurs and professionals, this habit can mean the difference between vague ambitions and concrete results.
Deibler's rationale is practical. Running a bakery and cafe operation alongside supporting a second food and beverage business means his days rarely look the same twice. A written goal provides a fixed reference point when schedules get noisy. "I like to set yearly goals every January 1st and monthly goals at the beginning of every month," Deibler said. "I keep these in the back of my mind daily." The discipline is in the follow-through, and for Deibler, that means breaking big yearly targets into monthly pieces so they never feel overwhelming. He measures success simply: "By accomplishing your goals and exceeding past that." There is no external scorecard, only his own list checked against his own results.
This matters because it challenges the common tendency to rely on memory or intention alone. Research in goal-setting theory consistently shows that writing down goals increases commitment and accountability. Deibler's method is not a marketing device but an operating rhythm he has used across two businesses for years. He manages All Stars Ice Cream and Cafe Bakery and supports his wife's ownership of Dead Horse Beer and Burritos. Two operations mean two sets of goals running at once, sometimes overlapping. Without a written system, priorities could easily blur. Deibler's policy ensures that each business gets deliberate attention, not just reactive problem-solving.
The implications for other business owners are clear. A written goal is not a guarantee of success, but it is a tool for clarity. Deibler credits his family, including his parents and siblings, for shaping his approach. Growing up with five siblings in Donaldson, Pennsylvania, taught him to divide attention across multiple priorities without losing track. That lesson translates directly into his professional life. Outside the businesses, he applies the same habit to community commitments, including local youth sports donations and volunteer coaching. These activities run on a calendar, not on good intentions alone.
Deibler is direct about what makes the policy work. "Hard work and a positive attitude," he said, are the qualities he considers most important. Neither appears on a to-do list, but both determine whether the list gets finished. He also gauges success "by my own standards," whether for a monthly bakery goal or a longer-term plan for the burrito business. This internal benchmark reinforces that the written-goal habit is about personal accountability, not external validation. For anyone juggling multiple responsibilities, Deibler's example offers a simple takeaway: if a goal is not written down, it is too easy to let it slide. Writing it down is the first step toward making it real.
