Goal setting in one’s personal and business life is important because goals determine direction of travel.
The best goals align with a vision and culture and describe your aspirations and even your mission without necessarily specifying what it will take to achieve that goal.
Examples of personal goals might be:
- Retire at the age of 50
- A well traveled person
- Lead a happy life
- Live a healthy life
They’re typically broad brush but valuable in defining what it is that you want to do or be. They’re also long term and somewhat abstract.
Objectives are more specific and narrow, continuing from above, you might say that you need to
- Become a chartered accountant with your own business by 30
- Give up smoking by a particular date
- Maintain a particular weight for a period or from a date
- Sustain an exercise regimen for period
These objectives as defined, are much narrower in their scope, very specific and may be defined by a milestone or time frame.
They ultimately aren’t the goals but they are the measures by which you can determine whether you will meet your goals
