What is the difference between a vision & a goal? 

A vision really is a clearly articulated, resulted oriented, picture of the future you intend to create. You can also say it is where you want to go even though you are unable to see the entire path. The focus here is on your destination. As you take each step, the next step becomes clear as long as you stay focused on your vision.

 

Goals on the other hand quantify and define the daily, weekly or monthly steps you must take. They are the milestones on your journey towards your vision of the future. They are the signposts that let you know you are moving in the right direction. They are measurable and answer questions like When? and How much? rather than Why? which is addressed by your vision. Goals give you the opportunity to celebrate success, to monitor your progress and to re-evaluate your vision in light of new circumstances.

To illustrate, having a goal to lose 3KG every month in 2018 is not a vision. But to achieve an overall fitness and healthy lifestyle as you age is a vision.

Another example is deciding to increase your business weekly or monthly production capacity from say, 10 units a week to 50 units a week, is certainly not a vision but a goal. But a desire to become the company with the highest volume of production in a particular industry or sphere is a vision.

Yes, to create an effective vision, you have to free yourself from your current reality and think in terms of future possibilities while goals on the other hand look at the recent past as a starting point and build on that. It is incremental in nature.

In order to achieve your vision, you have to set goals. For example if your vision is to change the world than you have to set the goals to achieve your vision.

Clearly both vision and goals are essential tools in the creation of a valuable, productive and happy life. So start today to work on your goals that will help you achieve your life’s vision.