This article references a research done by Michaéla Schippers on goal-setting. "Most people grapple at some time or another with free-floating anxiety that saps energy and increases stress. Through written reflection, you may realise that a certain unpleasant feeling ties back to, say, a difficult interaction with your mother. That type of insight, research has shown, can help locate, ground and ultimately resolve the emotion and the associated stress. At the same time, 'goal-setting theory' holds that writing down concrete, specific goals and strategies can help people overcome obstacles and achieve."