Photo by Vivek Chugh
This time of year people often talk about their goals or plans for the year; businesses talk about strategy. Unfortunately, only three percent of people actually achieve their goals. So what can you do to improve your odds of achieving your goals, either business or personal?
First, we need to understand what these terms mean. I’ve often heard people use the words strategy, goals, missions, and plans interchangeably. I’ve also noticed that people overlook things like purpose, vision, or tactics. Simply understanding these terms and how they connect to each other can help you achieve more of your goals.
1. Vision – Vision is training yourself to be able to see what is to come to pass. It is a mental attitude you must develop. Proverbs 29:18 says where there is no vision, the people perish. If you are leading others (or even yourself, for that matter) you must have a vision for your team, believe in that vision, and impart that belief to others.
2. Purpose – Purpose is the why. Vision seeks clarity to better understand why you want to do or accomplish something. Purpose gives meaning to people and helps them develop their own internal motivation towards the vision.
3. Goal – Goals are mile markers that help you know if you are moving in the right direction. They can be short term and long term, but they are the “what” that drives toward the vision. Goals help you determine what a win is and keep you focused.
4. Strategy/Mission/Plan –Strategy is the “how” of accomplishing the vision. Strategies may, and sometimes must, change depending on circumstances, but the vision never changes. Remember also, that you may not have the entire strategy laid out in perfect detail. If you know the next step to take, you are not lacking in direction.
5. Tactics – These are the precise disciplines or behaviors which you follow in order to implement a plan and strategy. These become the day after day and week after week actions that enable you to execute your strategy.
If you simply funnel everything into this structure and execute on it, you will place yourself far ahead of those around you.
