goals vs resolutions
setting goals, making resolutions
Happy New Year, everyone!
Thanks to all who responded to my last post with encouraging and uplifting comments. I really appreciate the dialogue! (By the way, if you want to subscribe to the “comments” feature on the blog to hear what other readers are saying, just click on “comments” at the bottom of this post, and click on the box saying “subscribe to comments.”)
We’ve summed up the year gone by. It’s time to look forward. But I haven’t really been one for making resolutions or writing down goals. Have you?
What’s the difference between a resolution and a goal? A website I came across last week said:
You achieve goals; you keep resolutions.
Another website talks about the difference between goals and objectives, telling us:
Goals are broad; objectives are narrow.
Goals are general intentions; objectives are precise.
Goals are intangible; objectives are tangible.
Goals are abstract; objectives are concrete.
Goals can’t be validated as is; objectives can be validated.
You can learn more at: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/courses/edtec540/objectives/Difference.html
My research also told me that the top 3 resolutions made by North Americans in 2009 were:
1) losing weight;
2) quitting smoking;
3) tightening budgets; dissolving debt.
So it appears that most of us want to free ourselves of something when we make resolutions. And when we make goals, it’s more about acquiring something — or making achievements. Very interesting premise.
The past year has been one of transition for me, as I have moved from primarily being a periodical writer to becoming an established book author who also does some periodical work. With a terrific book coming out in March, and another in the works, I truly believe I will be able to achieve my goal for 2010:
To establish myself as a highly acclaimed author.
My newly redesigned website is an integral part of achieving this goal. If you haven’t yet checked it out, please do so at: http://www.wizardofwords.net
What are your goals for 2010? Share them with us here, and we can all check back at the end of the year to see what we have achieved.
Once you have determined your goal(s), it’s much easier to set your objectives — and achieve them! Good luck to all.
I found this very interesting and timely. I am writing a blog for a client on goals. Thanks for sharing your insight/findings.
Thanks, Susan. Good luck with achieving your e-publishing goal this year! It's always inspirational to set your goals high. You then have to push yourself harder in order to achieve them.
I sure find that works at Curves! They keep making me work harder with the "Curves Smart" system … but it's working, so that's OK. We all need to be pushed — or encouraged sometimes.
All the best for 2010.
Doreen, many people use goal and resolution interchangeably, but you do a great job of explaining the distinction. My big goal for 2010 is to finish putting together my ebook and start selling it!
Thanks, Mark! Welcome to the blog. I invite my travel enthusiast readers to also visit your blog. (Click on Mark's name and it will take you there.) You've got some great pics and experiences for all to share. All the best for 2010 — and reach for the sky!
I like your differences between objectives and goals. Working in one team, I remember the idea of a BHAG or "big hairy audacious goal" – the real stretch goal that our team would try to achieve over the year. Best wishes with your BHAG – go get that goal.
Lauri: Nice to have you back on the blog. Thanks for sharing your insights on goal setting. I totally agree that we have to really want something in order to make it happen. No commitment; no results.
Which fits nicely with Christine's comment: "Dream Big or Wake Up." I like that! In today's tough world, we need to believe in ourselves and make those dreams a reality.
I've always understood the difference between goals and objectives as this: you use your objectives to achieve your goal. My goal is to have two books published in 2010, so my objective for this week is to start putting all of my notes and research together for the first book, and have the draft completed by the end of the month. Like you, I am moving more into becoming a book author. I love your goal of "becoming a highly acclaimed book author." I once had a pr/advertising guru tell me, "Dream Big or Wake Up." Yours doesn't sound like a dream though–it's going to be your reality. I love that self-confidence, and hope to get more of it myself.
Thanks Doreen for this goal post. (pardon the pun) I have worked with many executive and work teams over the last 10 years to help them articulate their goals and intentions for the future. I'm sure, as evidenced by your research, we could collectively talk for a month of Sundays trying to clarify and agree on the elements of goal setting. Frankly, I'm still a little fuzzy.
What I have spent a good part of my career concentrating on is the power and influence that our belief and attitude has on the likelihood of achieving our goal. If we feel the goal is a "have to" and we aren't able to see the personal pay value in the goal, we'll creatively avoid it like the plague. In fact, we humans are quite masterful at it!
If however, we put it on a "choose to" "want to" basis, it is amazing how we'll creatively invent our way to goal accomplishment.
So…after we've determined for ourselves what elements of goal setting means what to us – the next thing to do is listen to the little voice in our head – whatever we hear will determine the likelihood of our success. The good news, is that we can change our belief and attitude about anything…anytime we want to!
As always, thanks for stimulating my brain!
I have indeed become a follower of your blog, Cathy. Good luck with it, and with all your goals for 2010. Knowing you and your determination, you are likely to achieve them all!
Loved the goals vs resolutions blog, Doreen! I just KNEW you were going to have to clarify this for this weeks TM meeting!
With respect to my sales goal (or resolution??), mine is: To make at minimum, 2 sales per month on average of 5k.
I have posted my other goals on my blog! Take a peek!
Good to hear from you, Simon! I hope your writing is going well. Good luck with it — and all your goals!
Goals vs. objectives… thanks for clarifying that, good lady. Now I shall have to revise my intentions for the year. 🙂
Thanks for joining in on the conversation, Judy. Nice to have you onboard. Keep swimming — and good luck with your goals.
Hey Doreen,
Liked your goals vs setting objectives post today. Gotta say I did not see any new swimmers at the pool this AM. Thought I might with the New Year and all.