A Goal without a Plan is just a Wish

What is the difference between a goal and a wish? Wishes are things that you want to have, for example a slim red Ferrari, a large house, or the latest mobile phone. Wishes are also things you want to experience, such as wanting to climb Mount Everest, or go scuba diving. Wishes are also intentions. Such as “I want lots of money” or “I want to be happy”. These are vague intentions that could mean different things in different perspectives. However at this stage you have not committed yourself to take any steps to achieve that wish.

During Abhyas Varg One, I realised and experienced an important value that would help me during my SIP and in the future. This was the ability to convert wishes into goals. I was presenting my ideas for a plan on a way to execute my SIP project when it suddenly became evident than my “plan” was not really a plan. As it was not concise, thorough and evident that a clear time-plan was missing…

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery

This quote, from the French writer (1900 - 1944), would mean that my initial objectives were in the “wish” category rather than the “goal” category. The way to convert a wish into a goal was by having a clear, detailed plan. This could involve setting a series of “mini goals” that act as steps to the end result. Before I set my goals, I had to make sure I picked specific mile stones along the way, that would be realistic to achieve, and not just ones that I hope to reach. Then, to make sure I was ARM’D with something achievable, there were four things I had to ask myself:

1. Actionable- Am I honestly able to take the actions necessary to impact the outcome?

2. Realistic-Can this actually be achieved? In the boundaries I am in?

3. Measurable-Have I identified specific criteria against which progress can be impartially measured?

4. Deadlined-Do you have a specific date by which it is to be accomplished?

Goals are wishes that are attainable, quantifiable and that you’ve committed to actually achieving. You may wish you had that Ferrari or “lots of money”, and would be very happy if you won it. However if it isn’t something you are actively taking steps to pursue, it’s not a goal, but merely a wish.