There is a difference between goals and objectives. This is where we commonly error in thinking they are the same thing or maybe similar. If you haven’t made this error then my hat’s off to you.
What is a goal? Well it’s a short statement of the desired outcome to be accomplished over time. While the objectives are what steps you will take to achieve that goal. Now there are different types of goals both short term (Something that can be accomplished in a few weeks or months) or long term (one that may take a year or so).
Goal setting should be specific, realistic, and measurable. This is where people set themselves up for failure by not having some or all of those elements. I firmly believe that anyone can be the CEO of a fortune 500 company, but I think we all can agree that if this person has no experience it will likely not happen within a few months. Speaking to realistic.
There is nothing to say that short term goals can’t fit into a larger picture, or stand on their own.
Now here’s the secret:
1) Don’t make things complicated!
2) Celebrate your successes.
3) Write things down. (One thing that I have to admit that I need to do). If you’re like me you mean well but you won’t remember.
4) Learn from your failures.
This is the same thing that you can use for any other parts of your life.
Remember:
People don’t plan to fail . . . people only fail for lack of a plan.