Trigger Question #56:
We treat goals and objectives as synonyms when we talk casually and write informally. But if we treat them as synonyms when we plan and strategize, then we dilute focus and sap motivation.
Dilute focus and sap motivation? Yes. Because it muddies our aim when we don’t differentiate between goals and objectives.
Let’s assume you play soccer. (Or football, depending on which side of the Atlantic you kick the ball.) What is your aim when you play soccer? Yes, you aim to win the current game. And how do you do that? By scoring as many goals as you can until the referee blows the final whistle.
When you play soccer/football, you aim to score goals. Why? Because your objective is to win the game!
When looked at this way, scoring a goal, achieving a goal, or completing a goal is indeed exciting. But it might not be enough. You probably need to hit many goals to achieve one objective. Let me repeat that. Many goals, one objective.
Here’s the kicker (pun intended). If you fixate on achieving your short-term goal, you might stop playing too soon. And then you won’t achieve your longer-term objective. Goals are often simply the series of actions you must follow to succeed, to achieve your objective.
There’s an interesting shift in motivation which happens when you set objectives as primary and goals as supportive. When you focus on objectives, you are less easily influenced by volatile, short-term emotions and external opinions. When your focus is longer term, you become more objective and less subjective.
When you are objective, you are more likely to revise your goals as needed to achieve your objective. But if you remain subjectively attached to your individual goals, well, you might, as they say, win the game but lose the season.
Remember, goals achieve objectives. Not the other way round.
Welcome to my side of the nonsense divide.