Goal

We explain what a goal is, its main characteristics and the types that exist. Also, its difference with a goal and several examples.

What is a goal?

A goal or end is the expected or imagined outcome of a system, action, or trajectorythat is, what we hope to obtain or achieve through a specific procedure. Organizations, individuals, groups, all set goals and procedures to make them a reality.

The word goal comes from Latin, and designated a series of conical objects that were placed at the ends of the Roman circus race track, marking the beginning and end of the trajectory.

From there it was taken as a metaphor for the end, the objective, and therefore also the usefulness of a given process. It should not be confused, however, with the prefix meta-, which comes from Greek instead, and means “beyond.”

There are many ways to conceive goals, and in Western culture individual fulfillment, happinessand the fulfillment of the goals we have set for ourselves are closely related.

Setting goals is called planning, and their fulfillment is called efficiency or effectiveness. This in corporate or organizational language.

Characteristics of a goal

The goals must have the following characteristics:

• It must be achievable. An unreal or unattainable goal ceases to be so, and becomes more of a dream, a fantasy or an imagination.
• It must be observable. The goals must be part of a current system, that is, they must be measurable against an initial point of the subject. Otherwise it would not be possible to know when it is completed.
• It must occur in a finite time. Goals must be able to be met within a certain time frame, they cannot be eternal.

Types of goals

There are different types of goals, depending on the time it will take to achieve them:

• short term goals. Those that require a short period of time to complete. Days, weeks or months, for example.
• Medium-term goals. Those that require sustained effort over time to be fulfilled. Months or years, for example.
• Long term goals. Those that require a long period of time to materialize. Years or decades, for example.

And, on the other hand, depending on their final purpose, they can be:

• Mastery Goals. Those whose purpose is to accumulate knowledge or abilities, which represent greater scope or power for those who fulfill them.
• Performance goals. Those that are fulfilled by demonstrating capabilities to others or standing out within a certain population.
• Avoidance goals. Those that are fulfilled when a procedure or risk is avoided, an action is carried out quickly or it is avoided completely.

Difference between goal and objective

Although they are often used synonymously, A goal and an objective are not exactly the same.. This difference lies in the measurable, concrete, specific nature of the objectives, in contrast to the broader and general vision of the goal.

It could be considered that Objectives are steps taken to achieve the goalas if this were reaching the top of a ladder and they climbing each of the steps of the same.

Goal Examples

The goals can be extremely diverse, since they depend on the aspirations of each person or organization that sets them, for example:

• Lose weight. For many people, achieving a more balanced weight is a personal goal, the fulfillment of which involves another series of objectives and small steps.
• learn a language. Speaking a foreign language fluently is a goal that requires continued and sustained effort to achieve.
• Learn to play an instrument musical. Whatever it is, and in whatever way, this goal will require effort and professional assistance, which can be objectives to consider in the short term.
• Improve family relationship. This could well be a short-term goal for professionals who are too dedicated to their careers and sacrifice their families for it.
• Achieve the position of manager. In a company or company, the management position is coveted by many, but not everyone takes the necessary steps to excel in their job and get it.
• write a novel. Another perfect example of a goal that is in principle achievable, but that will require a series of sustained efforts over time.