9/10/2019 Difference Between Goals and Objectives | Difference Between

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Difference Between Goals and Objectives

• Categorized under Business,Planning & Activities | Difference Between Goals and Objectives

Goals vs Objectives

When you have something you want to accomplish, it is important to set both goals and
objectives. Once you learn the difference between goals and objectives, you will realize
that how important it is that you have both of them. Goals without objectives can never
be accomplished while objectives without goals will never get you to where you want to

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9/10/2019 Difference Between Goals and Objectives | Difference Between

be. The two concepts are separate but related and will help you to be who you want to be.

Definition of Goals and Objectives

Goals ‘“ are long-term aims that you want to accomplish.
Objectives ‘“ are concrete attainments that can be achieved by following a certain number of steps.
Goals and objectives are often used interchangeably, but the main difference comes in their level of
concreteness. Objectives are very concrete, whereas goals are less structured.

Remembering the Differences between Goals and Objectives

When you are giving a presentation to a potential or current employer, knowing the difference between
goals and objectives can be crucial to the acceptance of your proposal. Here is an easy way to
remember how they differ:
Goals ‘“ has the word ‘go’ in it. Your goals should go forward in a specific direction. However, goals are
more about everything you accomplish on your journey, rather than getting to that distant point. Goals
will often go into undiscovered territory and you therefore can’t even know where the end will be.

Objectives ‘“ has the word ‘object’ in it. Objects are concrete. They are something that you can hold in
your hand. Because of this, your objectives can be clearly outlined with timelines, budgets, and
personnel needs. Every area of each objective should be firm.

Measuring Goals and Objectives

Goals ‘“ unfortunately, there is no set way in which to measure the accomplishment of your goals. You
may feel that you are closer, but since goals are de facto nebulous, you can never say for sure that you
have definitively achieved them.

Objectives ‘“ can be measured. Simply phrase your objective in the form of a question. For example, ‘I
want to accomplish x in y amount of time’ becomes ‘Did I accomplish x in y amount of time?’ This can
easily be answered in a yes or no form.

Examples of Goals and Objectives

Goals ‘“ I want to be a better ball player. I want to learn more about Chinese history. I want to maximize
my professional performance.
Objectives ‘“ I want to memorize the periodic table before my next quiz. I want to increase my sales by
10% this month. I want learn to play ‘Freebird’ on the guitar.

Summary:
1. Goals and objectives are both tools for accomplishing what you want to achieve.
2. Goals are long term and objectives are usually accomplished in the short or medium term.
3. Goals are nebulous and you can’t definitively say you have accomplished one whereas the success of
an objective can easily be measured.

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4. Goals are hard to quantify or put in a timeline, but objectives should be given a timeline to be more
effective.

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Manisha Kumar

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Difference Between Aims and Objectives

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Difference Between Objective and Subjective
Difference Between Goal and Ambition

Cite
Manisha Kumar. "Difference Between Goals and Objectives." DifferenceBetween.net. October 12, 2011
< http://www.differencebetween.net/business/difference-between-goals-and-objectives/ >.

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59 Comments
1. saira
May 2, 2010 • 2:39 pm

This site helped me alot.Special thanks to site.

Reply
2. Okyere mensah tawiah (ucc-gh)
October 8, 2010 • 5:10 pm

Subsidized are the amount taken by government to reduce the cost of the production of a good or
service. WHERE AS unsubsidised loans are loans which attract very high interest. *subsidies
reduce the burden of the citizens in a country while unsubsidy increases the burden of the citizens
in a country.

Reply
3. dp
November 2, 2010 • 9:17 am

Thanks

Reply
4. SULTAN
December 12, 2010 • 4:21 pm

Thanks alot for the valuable info. Provided. I was really confused myself about those words.

Reply
oaikhhenan godfrey okodede
July 19, 2019 • 4:29 am

Thanks for the clarification now I know Goal is a general aim while objective is a targeted part
of the general aim within a time frame

Reply
5. Thomas Watts
December 17, 2010 • 8:30 pm

Thank-you this article has been very, very helpful. One of the best easy to read articles on the
differences between goals & objectives.

www.differencebetween.net/business/difference-between-goals-and-objectives/ 5/15
9/10/2019 Difference Between Goals and Objectives | Difference Between

Reply
6. kotler sheffy
February 6, 2011 • 3:01 am

This article just solve a problem betweem me and myself..thanks

Reply
7. raheel
February 22, 2011 • 4:31 am

hi every one, i am very glad to see ths web site, it is helping me alot and clearing my concept on
things which i believing were same. long live for the honour of this site and God bless u.

Reply
8. Phum
February 22, 2011 • 8:41 am

Thank you very much for the insight, I have been confused.

Reply
9. Suansh Singhal
March 18, 2011 • 12:35 am

Objectives can be thought in terms of S.M.A.R.T.

S: Specific
M: Measurable
A: Achievable (in finite steps)
R: Reasonable
T: Timed

Reply
Nara
January 15, 2012 • 10:47 am

I like your acronym.

Reply
jhon
December 5, 2016 • 4:28 pm

i like u
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Reply
Brath#1
March 3, 2012 • 11:03 pm

in sales, S.M.A.R.T. acronym is used for goals. It seems to be interchangeable, however, the
objective is to get the job or task done on time!!!!

Reply
10. vIjay Borse
April 8, 2011 • 6:49 am

Great ..Thanks for valuable information.but please I need some help to understand and clarity
i,e.Objectives is the road map to achieve Goal.so it should be very specific as mentioned in your
write -up, so is objectives and KRA is same ? then please brief it that ,how you decribe Goal
,Objectives ,KRA ,KPI

Reply
Kent
July 6, 2011 • 11:39 am

Goal is the ultimate result you want to achieve

Objectives are the means to achieving your goal, they are the targets you must hit to get to
the goal.

KRA stands for “key result area”, which means, when an objective is assigned to you, you
must fufill this KRA in order to obtain your objective.
KPI stands for “key performance indicator” which are very important peices of information
that need to be observed on a regular basis in order to know “where you’re at” and
information to help you successfully fufill your KRA and obtain your objectives.

Once your all your objectives are successfully attained, you will acomplish your goal.

Reply
jordan
April 10, 2016 • 8:46 pm

It’s very simple to find out any topic on web

as compared to books, as I found this article at this web page.

Reply
11. Nadeem

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May 14, 2011 • 9:33 am

Rather surprisingly (for this site) this is a very good explanation of the difference between goals
and objectives. It could do with some more elaboration though, in my opinion.

Reply
12. Steve
September 28, 2011 • 3:12 pm

Goal and objective are one in the same. Take the definitions from webster:
Goal – 2: the end toward which effort is directed: aim; synonym is objective
Objective – 2a : something toward which effort is directed : an aim, goal, or end of action

Goals can be measurable once you reach the end. For example, I want to retire at 65 with $1MM
in the bank. That is a goal, and it is measurable; however, I won’t know if I’ve obtain that goal until I
reach 65.

An objective to reach that goal is to save $x per year earning y% over the next 30 years. This is
something that is measurable on a regular basis to ensure that I will in fact achieve my goal or
hopefully will learn ways to improve that goal such as retire at 60 with $1.1MM in the bank.

I want to be a better ball player is a vague statement of desire that has no real meaning. Once you
define what you mean by a better ball player, you will find metrics that can be measured.

I want to learn more about Chinese history isn’t a goal until you put a time frame on it: I want to
learn more about Chinese history before I go on my trip next year… This is then measurable as
long as you define what it is you want to know by then.

Reply
Dennis Huss
September 23, 2014 • 1:34 pm

The objective in attaining that retirement goal is to live well. Objectives are the reasons goals
are set. What is the objective of running down the football field with the football? to score
points. What is the goal of running down the field with the football? To get to the goalpost.

Reply
13. Oladunjoye Taiye
October 6, 2011 • 4:42 am

This informatio is valuable, precise & concise…Thanks!

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Reply
14. Angel
November 6, 2011 • 7:44 am

great info on goal and objective. Helpful for my year end planning. thanks for sharing

Reply
15. Ahmed Hadal
February 24, 2012 • 5:46 am

thanks, it is very clear.

Reply
16. CHIDEX
February 24, 2012 • 12:58 pm

This tips has actually help me both in my academic and planning. Thank you all.

Reply
17. Jo
March 7, 2012 • 2:02 pm

Good stuff. I just recently published an article regarding this same exact subject, on my blog. I like
your version better though

Reply
Brath#1
March 11, 2012 • 6:36 pm

hey Joe, send me the address for the blog.

thanks,
Brath#1

Reply
18. Ellias Rick
March 30, 2012 • 8:47 am

I have really learned a lot from the difference between a goal and an objective and now can
understand them better even though used interchangeably
Thanx

Reply
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19. koccus
April 24, 2012 • 1:59 pm

Thanks i can now write out my project proposals by setting my goals and objectives.

Reply
20. Eram
October 13, 2012 • 5:16 am

it is realllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy helpful`thanxs

Reply
21. Amanj
April 3, 2013 • 5:37 am

thanks a lot highly appreciate.

Reply
22. Madeeha
September 30, 2013 • 2:21 pm

ITS REALLY HELP FUL

Reply
23. R.Aller
October 25, 2013 • 5:15 am

I think a good way of representing it is through a straight line. You have a start and a finish. The
finish is the “Goal”, and the milestones across the line are the “Objectives” that would help and
assist you in reaching your goal.

Nicely explained and very beneficial, thank you!

Reply
24. Dammy Enny
October 30, 2013 • 7:26 am

This is educative!

Reply
25. klaiv
August 25, 2014 • 4:30 am

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9/10/2019 Difference Between Goals and Objectives | Difference Between

helpful special thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply
26. gashaw
December 20, 2014 • 1:09 pm

it is good explanation

Reply
Sabri
August 5, 2016 • 12:29 am

Hi gasha, Plz help me to differentiate between corporate and company.

Reply
27. Stanley Luanda
May 16, 2015 • 9:47 pm

Very very helpful and simplistic, just gives me a very clear understanding of these two equally
fundamental terms. Thank God for the gift of someone in your calibre to have this on this site. Just
gives me a new vibe and direction in the small business I just set up 5 months ago. Thanks, a very
valuable site in deed. God less.

Reply
28. anim
October 7, 2015 • 3:18 pm

this is a very helpful article .thank you very much.

Reply
29. Rosah Homéz
October 15, 2015 • 3:21 pm

Thank you Manisha for clarification of these two words – goal and onjective. I have a whole new
level of appreciation for the destination and the journey. Peace

Reply
30. David Garnar
November 23, 2015 • 2:35 am

A million thanks.

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Reply
31. Shams Tamanna
December 8, 2015 • 8:02 pm

This website help us to improve our conversation.

Reply
32. olusesan olajide
December 22, 2015 • 10:48 pm

very valuable

Reply
33. Sunflower
March 30, 2016 • 10:43 am

This was absolutely informative. Thank you for a clear understanding. I am using this for teachers
who work in child care. When doing lesson plans they are getting stuck, so I am giving them Goals
and Objectives to concentrate on to plan activities effectively for the children. Thanks again

Reply
34. Mr Mansoor Almas
April 24, 2016 • 5:48 am

What a nice explanation! thank you very much.

Reply
35. Patrick Thupe
June 21, 2016 • 4:43 am

Thank you very much. Now i appreciate that Goal are a long term vision which can be
accomplished by setting short term(steps) that needs to be followed.

Reply
36. Adeel
September 18, 2016 • 11:04 am

amazing

Reply
37. wanze
November 8, 2016 • 12:31 pm
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9/10/2019 Difference Between Goals and Objectives | Difference Between

thanks a million for these tips, they just helped me solve a puzzle

Reply
38. Anthony Rugira
November 26, 2016 • 7:48 pm

thanks for all

I cant fail to thank the admin for this and thanks as well.for the update

QN
DISCUSS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CURRICULUM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES?
thanks hope to meet your ideas

Reply
39. Barasa Dennis
December 3, 2016 • 7:15 am

This is an awesome description. It has helped me know the basic and complex difference about
the two interchangeable terms.Thanks a lot.

Reply
40. John
January 23, 2017 • 3:00 am

Thank you soo much for this site.it has given me insight and helped me
Thank you again

Reply
41. kolapo durojaiye
February 5, 2017 • 1:23 pm

Super duper helpful… You just solved a major block in my strategic planning with this clearly
explained difference… May God bless you with more wisdom.

Reply
42. Lulu
May 6, 2017 • 4:12 pm

Thanks for the explanation, I’m really helped

Reply
43. Wondimu Moges
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9/10/2019 Difference Between Goals and Objectives | Difference Between

December 8, 2017 • 4:24 am

I found it help full.

Reply
44. Wondimu Moges
December 8, 2017 • 4:26 am

I found it helpfull. THANK YOU.

Reply
45. Mohinder Kalra
December 11, 2017 • 12:24 pm

Excellent explanation. Crisp and clear

Reply
46. Afaya Azubire philip
January 5, 2018 • 1:20 am

Wow,,thank you so much,,,well understood,,God bless

Reply
47. Mandira
January 7, 2018 • 8:19 am

I have clearly understood the difference between the two, goals and objectives. Thank you for
writing such nice articles with examples.

Reply
48. Ring
January 14, 2018 • 7:10 am

Your definition of a goal reminds me of a falling tree in a forest.

Reply
49. Dell
March 13, 2019 • 11:40 am

Hello,
Well conceived and written article – especially with regards to “key” words – such as “go” and
“object”. Thank you so very much!

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Reply

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Written by : Manisha Kumar. and updated on October 12, 2011

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