What is the Difference Between a Goal and an Outcome?
As I was working with a client during a coaching session this week, I was asked about difference between a goal and an outcome. Subsequently, in this post I will discuss –
- What is a Goal?
- What’s an Outcome?
- What is the Difference Between a Goal and an Intention?
Let’s get started!
What is a Goal?
The definitions of goals I discovered were –
- “the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.” ~ Google and Oxford Dictionaries
- “the end toward which effort is directed.” ~ Merriam-Webster Dictionaries
- “an aim or purpose” ~ Cambridge Dictionary
- “the result or achievement toward which effort is directed” ~ Dictionary.com
Generally goals follow the SMART process – S for Specific, M for Measurable, A for Achievable, R for Relevant and T for Time-Based.
What is an Outcome?
The definitions of an outcome include –
- “the way a thing turns out; a consequence” ~ Google
- “a final product or end result; consequence; issue” ~ Dictionary.com
- “a result or effect of an action, situation, etc.” ~ Cambridge Dictionary
- “something that follows as a result or consequence” ~ Merriam-Webster.com
What is the Difference Between a Goal and an Outcome?
As you can see by the above, the key difference between a goal and an outcome is –
- a goal is what you want to DO (i.e. the BEFORE). An example of a goal is by June 29, 2019, I will have developed a greater knowledge and understanding of mindful self-compassion, so I can share the practise and tools with my clients.
- an outcome is what you ACHIEVED by the actions you took (i.e. the AFTER). An example of an outcome is I am a trained teacher of mindful self-compassion.
Over to You…
I hope this post has given you some insight in to the difference between a goal and an outcome. Are there any other differences your would add? If so, feel free to share them below.
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