Be-Do-Have a Target on Goals

by Richard Norris, Action International

Not another article on goal setting?
Yep! Without goals you are rudderless and end up lost!

Be-Do-Have. A simple but profound formula for success. Applied to goal setting it translates as Focus – Target – Goals.

The purpose is to provide you with some distinction. Recently I was involved in a discussion about the difference between goals and targets. The resultant revelations were profound so I thought I would share them.

BE focussed. This is a state of “BE-ing”. Without focus your future, whether it is for today, tomorrow, next week or next year is foggy.

DO target. Targeting requires action or “DO-ing”. A target is specific and often has associated time commitments. In business a target is often stated as something that is set so that all efforts can be made to achieve that on the way to goal i.e. a target is a short-term specific step on the way to a longer-term goal. Sales targets are commonly set in business.

HAVE a goal. The end result. Something to be achieved. BEING focussed and DOING targeting lead to HAVE-ing that goal.

Further insight is gained through looking at some definitions…

Goal n. 1. Point marking end of race; object of effort or ambition; destination. 2. Pair of posts between which a bal is to be driven in football etc, cage or basket used similarly in other games, points so won.

Target n. 1. a round mark for archery, rectangular mark for firearms. v. 1. to aim at or for.

From these definitions, a goal can only be a noun and is something to be achieved. When one thinks of a rugby, football or hockey goals one sees a fairly large static area in which one can “score”. A goal implies an end point – a worthy objective or a thing to be achieved. A goal is predominantly externally set. Such a large area to hit implies less focus is required and that there is room to manoeuvre to hit it. Any goal worthy of pursuing usually has challenges, obstacles and/or opportunities to address in the process. There is the possibility of looking upon any goal, therefore, with passive interest, as it is “passive” by its static nature. The term “moving the goal posts” is often touted but the goal does not move without outside help.

Target as a noun implies the requirement for more focus. As a series of targets are often set in succession to achieve that longer-term goal it is perhaps necessary to ensure that short-term focus. If not, over time and distance, you will be further from that goal.

To target, as a verb, is an ongoing, “active” process. To target requires tools and techniques to ensure one stays “on target”. Just think of an archer or marksmen. They are masters of their preferred instrument and have to actively adapt to the surrounding environment (wind, distance etc) to aim for the bullseye. No two moments are exactly the same. This requires skill, experience and constant never-ending improvement.

Improving your focus, getting better at targeting means that you will get better at achieving goals. BE-DO-HAVE

So when next you set goals think of the targets you need to meet on the way. Focus and take Action. Not only will you gain points along the way but you are more likely to score a goal too!

So until next time…

Be Awesome!

Richard Norris