Understanding And Setting Goals And Objectives: A Primary Strategy For Success In Life

Throughout history, most successful people have agreed that setting goals and objectives has been a major strategy for success in life. These people have also known that if you really want to achieve your goals, you need to write them down.

Sounds easy, doesn't it? But, if it's so easy, why don't more people write down their goals and then achieve them?

I truly believe that not fully understanding the difference between goals and objectives to begin with is part of the problem. So yes, it is very important to write down goals and objectives. But, before you do that, let's make sure that you first understand the difference between the two terms before working on any specific plan of action.

Your goals are certainly important; however, properly planned objectives are just as critical. Therefore, before setting goals and objectives, let's clarify the difference between the two terms here.

When you are planning a goal, you are setting up the "big picture" of what you want to accomplish and achieve. But when you are setting an objective, you are actually developing a tangible or measurable activity or action step that will help you move forward and achieve your goal.

For example, your goal may be to become a writer. An objective in this case may be to send an article to your favorite magazine by a certain date.

Using this example, the goal of someone want to become a writer is the "big picture," whereas the more quantifiable objective of actually submitting a piece of writing to a magazine was easily measured. After all, the aspiring writer either did submit an article or did not.

Either there was progress toward achieving the goal, or there was not.

Here is one popular method to help differentiate between goals and objectives. Notice that within the word "goal" you can also see the word "go."." And, "go" is a verb. You "go" right, left, or straight through the traffic light. You can "go" to the store. So, when we talk about setting and achieving goals, we talk about going or moving in a desirable direction.

The word "objective" contains the word "object." An "object" is a thing. It is tangible. You can touch an object, see an object. You can measure or weigh an object. Therefore, when we talk about setting objectives, we talk about a specific action step that helps us move in the direction of our goals.

Here are two more examples illustrating the difference between setting and achieving goals and objectives.

Goal: To get a pilot's license. Objective: Visit the airport on Monday and sign up for flying lessons.

Goal: To earn $500 extra each month. Objective: Apply at 5 stores at the mall by Saturday.

As you may have already determined from these examples, there are likely to be many objectives that you can write to help you achieve your goals.

Once you have determined your "big picture" vision (your goal), and have come up with a number of measureable action steps to move you forward (your objectives), you are far more likely to actually make progress.

That's because now you have some solid steps planned that you can act on. And as you complete each objective, you can cross it off your list, an activity that will also feel very good.

It is a good idea to spend some time every week reviewing your goals and objectives as part of your strategy for success in life. Just because you now understand the difference between setting goals and objectives doesn't mean that they need to be cast in stone.

Review and measure your progress regularly, and adjust your plan as needed. You may soon find that you can achieve your goals sooner than you thought you could.


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For additional help with setting goals and objectives, claim your free copy of Kathy Tremblay's Personal Goal Setting Guide and newsletter at www.SelfDevelopmentStrategies.com. Her "from the heart" guide and series of newsletters delivers a warm dose of motivation. And visit www.SelfDevelopmentAndGrowth.com for even more great self development materials.