Powered By Blogger

Sunday 1 May 2011

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DREAM AND A GOAL

A dream may come true. A goal also may come true. But what is the difference between the two? If there is any idea, please visit http://heikrujam.blogspot.com and offer your valuable comments.

In my opinion, dreams are not specific, un-measurable, unattainable, irrational and has not a time frame tied to it. As an illustration, I will use a dream someone might have regarding purchase of a car. Why it is not a goal? Because he is not specific about the make, the exact price of the car and there is no time frame to purchase the car.

On the other hand, goals are specific, measurable, attainable, rational and time bound. We must not mix a goal with vague terms like “some” or “a little bit”, or “more”. If someone wants to purchase a Honda City Car costing Rs.7.00 lakh this month, he should be exact and specify that exact amount and make. 

Goals are always measurable. It can be defined in terms of height, weight, rupees, inches, or hours. A goal without a measurable outcome is just a pipe-dream. One can’t achieve a kilogram of “happiness” or 10 inches of “self-esteem”, but one can get a new flat or run one km in 5 minutes.
Goal must also be attainable. The ways we can make them come true can be figured out. We have to develop the attitudes, abilities, skills, and financial capacity to reach them.

Reachable goals must be rational. It can be seen, heard, smell or touched. We have to go for things we will enjoy and that we can clearly visualize. The brain has hard time going for “financial security”, but it can visualize a bank statement with nice, large numbers on it.

A goal should be grounded within a time frame. With no time frame tied to it there's no sense of urgency. If you want to lose 10 kg when do you want to lose it by? "Someday" won't work. But if you anchor it within a time frame, by 31 July 2011, then you've set your unconscious mind into motion to begin working on the goal.

No comments: