I am often asked “what is the difference between a dream and a goal?”
It’s critical to understanding the difference between a dream and a goal because, with respect to a dream, there is no element of control. You have no control over the realization of a dream. A dream is merely the desire for some future outcome.
A goal, however, is something you can control. It represent some specific future action you intend to take for some specific period of time that will help you realize your dream. Because it requires action, you have control over whether or not you take that action.
Let’s take a look at some typical examples of “goals” to help you separate the two:
- “I want to lose 20 pounds.”
- “I want to run 3 miles a day for 6 months.”
- “I want to increase sales by $$5,000 a month.”
- “I want to make 10 prospecting calls a day for a month.”
- “I want to write a book this year.”
- “I want to write 500 words a day for 3 months.”
“I want to lose 20 pounds” is a dream because it represents the future outcome of losing 20 pounds.
“I want to run 3 miles a day for 6 months” is a goal because it represents some future action you intend to take that will help you realize your dream of losing 20 pounds.
“I want to increase sales by $5,000 a month” is a dream because it represents the future outcome of making an additional $5,000 a month in sales.
“I want to make 10 prospecting calls a day for a month” is a goal because it represents some future action you intend to take that will lead to the realization of your dream of making an additional $5,000 a month in sales.
“I want to write a book this year” is a dream because it represents some future outcome.
“I want to write 500 words a day for 3 months” represents a goal. Five hundreds words a day for 3 months = 45,000 words, a good number of words for a good sized book.
The key to realizing a goal is to define your dream and then identify the specific action steps required in order to realize that dream. Each specific activity required in order to realize your dream represents a goal. Most dreams require multiple goals you must achieve in order to realize your dream. After you achieve each of those goals, your dream becomes a reality.
Summary:
A dream is some future outcome you desire.
A goal is some specific future action you take for a specific period of time in order to realize a dream.
About Thomas C. Corley
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