Goals vs Targets
Goals and Targets are two words that display a difference between them regarding their usage. Goals relate to the ‘primary ambition’ that individuals repeatedly seek to achieve. Targets, on the other hand, are aims we endeavor to reach. This article attempts to clarify the difference between a goal and a target while providing a comprehensive understanding of each term.
What is a Goal?
A goal can be defined as the primary ambition that people repeatedly seek to achieve. We all have goals in life, whether they are personal or professional. For example, a student may dream of becoming a professor one day, making that their ultimate goal. A goal refers to a clear ambition that an individual has been harboring. It is usually long-term and very subjective.
What is a Target?
Targets refer to general aims, having the figurative meaning of distance or mark. While a goal remains an individual’s ultimate achievement, targets are what drive the individual towards their goal. For example, an individual can have targets for each year. Targets help a person slowly work towards their goal. All targets reach towards goals, but the converse is not true. Goals are achieved by successfully reaching the targets. A person can have only one goal in life, but many targets.
Key Takeaways
- Goals refer to the primary ambition that individuals seek to achieve.
- Targets are general aims that drive an individual towards their goal.
- An individual can have many targets but only one goal in life.
