A goal can’t help you keep the weight off, but a system can. Dedicating yourself to understanding what is needed to achieve a goal, creating a system around that desired goal, and then rigorous implementation of that system will provide sustaining benefits around your goal.
This way of approaching your goals will actually allow you to achieve them in a sustaining manner.
How does this apply to you as a software engineer? You can use this system for planning and achieving goals in your career. Goal: I want to make more in my career. Research: What are people that currently making more than me doing that I am not doing? Answer (for this example): Writing, public speaking, being present at events, constantly reading books, following trends, etc. System for change: Write one blog post per week. Schedule yourself to speak at an event once a month. Sign up for an audible account and read a book a month. Subscribe to RSS feeds or YouTube channels.