Every endeavor we undertake starts with a goal. A goal starts as an idea, which morphs into a desire, which becomes a goal. Ideas are vague, desires are inspiring, and a goal is actionable inspiration.

A goal is not a plan. A goal should not be overly specific. And a goal should be deeper than a simple metric.

But a goal is a constraint, and an important one. Imagine that, an inspiring constraint.

Most important, goals let us know what we should be doing. Without them, we simply don’t know the appropriate way to act.

Goals focus us in a direction, gives us a general end-state, and allow maximum flexibility for getting there.

I will run the Boston Marathon next year.

We will improve work with our customers and learn what makes them happy.

We will build 2,000 units of affordable housing.

We will have a dinner party in July.

Those are goals. They set context. Beyond this they can be refined with any number of tools, but right now, let’s just examine them at a high level.

What do goals give us?

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