When you have a vision, you know where you want to go and you can see your next steps – but you won’t be able to see the entire path.
Vision is not about the path, it’s about the destination. As you take each step, the next step becomes clear as long as you stay focused on your vision.
You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. ..~Martin Luther King, Jr.
Goals are important.
Goals quantify and define the steps you must take. They are the signposts that let you know you are moving in the right direction. They are measurable and answer questions like When? and How much? (rather than Why? which is addressed by your vision).
Too often leaders set goals without first answering, “For what purpose?” and without clarifying their values. When goals are not connected to a clear purpose and values, people often work at cross-purposes with each other, not “rowing in the same direction.” Unsure of the purpose of their activities and without values to guide them, they remain dependent on leaders to provide direction.
A goal can have a picture of the end result and still not be a vision.
If you have a goal to lose weight, it is very helpful to create a mental image of yourself looking thin. It is powerful to create a picture of what you want (rather than struggling with what you want to resist). You can more easily sustain your energy and commitment. However, even though you have a powerful picture, losing weight is a goal, not a vision. Unless it is connected with a vision of something greater, like a healthy body or positive self-image, you are likely to put the weight back on.
A vision is enduring and provides clarity for the next step. A goal ends.
One way to distinguish between a vision and a goal is to ask, “What’s next?” A vision provides clear ongoing direction—it is clear what you should do next. As you take each step, the next one becomes clear. A vision continues to act as a beacon, guiding you in setting new goals once current ones have been achieved.
Once you have reached your goal, it is finished. Future direction is unclear because the goal was an end unto itself.
Consider these two examples – one of a vision, the other of a goal.
- Both provide a picture of the end result.
- Both are powerful.
- However, one ended …and the other continues.
A Vision
Martin Luther King Jr. described his vision of a world where people live together in mutual respect. In his “I Have a Dream” speech, he described a world where his children “will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” He created powerful and specific images arising from the values of brotherhood, respect, and freedom for all—values that resonate with the values that founded the United States. The test of this vision is that it continues to mobilize and guide people beyond King’s lifetime.
A Big Goal
President John F. Kennedy announced a goal for the Apollo Moon Project: to put a man on the moon by the end of the 1960’s. The underlying purpose and values were not clear. Was the purpose to win the space race? to begin the space defense initiative? or in the spirit of Star Trek “to boldly go where no one has gone before”?
The image of the end result was powerful; therefore, the goal was reached in the face of overwhelming obstacles. But lacking a vision that provided the answer to “What’s next?” NASA has shown neither clear direction nor outstanding performance since.
MLK’s vision appealed to the shared aspirations of millions of people.
He clearly knew it wasn’t about him, it was about “us.”
In his last speech, he said he’d seen (vision) the promised land. He then want on to say “I might not get there with you.” This meant the vision wasn’t about him, but about what we all hoped for.
That’s what made this vision oh so powerful.
Good point, Steve. MLK appealed to the aspirations of the people because he articulated their own hopes and dreams.
Interesting thought, but unconvincing. If a vision becomes reality, would it be a goal? Like “our goal is to create a world (or legislate a world) where people live together in mutual respect”.
“Mutual respect” is a vague statement, not a vision or a goal. How would you know you achieved it? Your description of mutual respect might be quite different from someone else’s. Rarely is a vision a one-liner, and when it is, it’s because a tremendous amount of information is embedded in it. But to your question, yes, I believe it is possible to achieve a vision although they do tend to be aspirational and it has been my experience that one’s vision expands the closer you get to it.
Great post Jesse! Thanks helping clarify the difference between goals and visions.
Glad you found it helpful, Wayne.
Hi Jesse,
Thanks for making this important distinction. I appreciated your very concrete example about losing weight. At the risk of over personalizing this blog conversation, may I share my personal example about vision and goals and steps.
I have struggled with weight loss much of my life. For the last 8 years my vision is on my refrigerator. It is “A healthy weight is a gift I give my heart.” I do have weight goal. I have reached it in the past 5 years but then I gained some weight back. Eventually, my vision caught me again – my weight was no longer healthy. So started taking steps again to lose weight by tracking what I eat and how much exercise I do. I am happy to report that I am more than half way to my weight goal again. But only the vision of a healthy weight as a gift to my heart sustains me and helps me maintain healthy practices. Thanks for the reinforcement today.
An important aspect of a vision is that it condenses a lot of information and provides a symbol of much more. “A gift to your heart” is such a symbol – it makes you happy and also literally is good for your physical heart. Mary Kay’s bumblebee is another example of a symbol (the bumblebee is so big and it’s wings are so little, that it shouldn’t be able to fly, but it does). Mary Kay’s vision is to supply wings (financial freedom) to housebound women. This is another distinction between a vision and a goal. A vision provides a symbol. A goal provides a sign. It is simply a marker along the way. And when you’ve reached that marker, there is no information to guide you further.
Thanks for sharing your personal experience to illustrate this important point, Marye Gail.
I am SO glad that you wrote this so that I can direct my clients to it everytime they give me a goal in place of a vision (or a strategy for that matter). I’m constantly clarifying the difference between the direction you’re going and how far you want to travel (the difference a between vision and a goal). Because much of my work is with teams, I find teams need also understand the mandate of the team. This defines what the organization is relying on the team to accomplish together. So for me, the flow is vision (why and where are we going), goal (how far do we want to get), and mandate (what is our role in pursuing the vision and achieving the goal).
Your explanation of the distinctions are very helpful, Liane. Thank you for sharing them here.
Do you find symbols like Mary Kay’s bumblebee make vision statements more powerful?
I absolutely do, Alex – when it really describes the purpose, values and aspirations. It’s a short-hand way to convey a powerful, meaningful message. On the other hand, if the symbol is merely a marketing tool, it provides no guidance and will be short-lived. Although a real symbol can be great, it’s not necessary. A powerful vision will create it’s own symbol over time. For example, “I have a dream” has become a symbol – it implies so much more than just four words.
Jesse,
This is a great post. It can be so easy to confuse the terms goal and vision, but they are completely different. As you mentioned goals end at some point whereas visions continue. Both are very important and I don’t think you can have one without the other and still be successful. The key to success is setting your vision and then making goals that are perfectly aligned with the vision. Thanks for sharing this great post!
Hi Brandon, Thanks for taking the time to comment and for highlighting the importance of having both vision and goals and the importance of knowing the difference. As you said so well, “The key to success is setting your vision and then making goals that are perfectly aligned with the vision.”
Very great add and clarification on the topic.
Jesse,
Just read your awesome post! Concepts like vision, mission, goals, beliefs, values and attitudes get lost in translation because of lack of clarity and concrete examples. Thank you for taking the time to clarify the difference between goal and vision. Your image also captures the essence of your message to your readers. Thank you:) Alicia
Thanks for your kind words, Alicia. Glad you found it helpful.
Two words: “You rock!”
Your examples will help me help others never again to struggle with the difference between a VISION and a BIG GOAL. Thank you Jesse for yet another wonderful post.
Kimunya
Thank you, Kimunya. Glad to know my post was helpful in making this important but often confusing distinction.
Excellent post! You have made it very clear why so many of us are at a loss once a major goal is achieved. More time needs to be spent on creating a vision that will endure. Thanks, Jesse!
Thanks so much, Joanne. Sometimes people think they have a vision because they don’t understand what a vision really is. My post The Key to Vision Statements That Work explains the 3 elements of an enduring vision.
“When goals are not connected to a clear purpose and values, people often work at cross-purposes with each other, not “rowing in the same direction.””
Excellent point – when aligned with personal and professional goals, true motivation is achieved.
Thanks Paul. Indeed, a lot of power becomes available to us when our personal and professional goals are aligned. It’s also a lot more fun.
Jesse, what an awesome post. And great examples of a goal vs vision. Of course you got me with your bit on “rowing in the same direction.” As a lover of rowing and having done a lot as a kid (in dinghy’s), I know exactly what happens when two people try to row together (even in the same direction) with mixed goals, or a goal and a vision or even a vision but no goals. It can be anything from disaster to an inordinate amount of wasted energy and very slow progress, to the disappearance of any goal or vision and the replacement of both with one of survival.
We (as kids) used to have lots of vision but I think perhaps for the most part got stuck with the lack of setting goals, we probably did not know what they were, of what the difference was (so I shall share this with my kids tonight at dinner).
When you look at teams that struggle you have to think that perhaps this is much of their problem. Perhaps they get stuck with many different personal visions (not a shared one), and many different goals. Add in a coach that has a vision that does not align with the team’s and hey presto, in UK football, relegation material.
Anyway thanks for bringing up such an important point even though your book “Full Steam Ahead” is full of them, it is a great reminder and great timing.Thanks again, I am going to use your examples next week in a workshop.
Hi Simon, You remind me that vision is the starting point (without it you’re not going anywhere) but not only do you need to align goals, you also need to clarify roles and how you will coordinate your efforts. I think we do have more dreams as children but they get squashed before they mature into a vision. You might be interested in a recent post about this Dig Below Your Dreams to Discover Your Vision. Thanks so much for your kinds words and insightful comments.
Great Post Jesse,
Goals and visions can both inspire people. But you are right a beautiful and strong vision can continue to inspire.
Thanks for sharing your insights.
Lieven
Thanks for your comments, Lieven.
Great post Jesse – been following your writing and your input is always strategic, practical and challenging. Great leaders need great resources and yours are exceptional. Best to you! – Bill
Thank you very much, Bill. I appreciate your feedback.
Wonderful post; this is my fist time to read your post and I must say that this is so good. I can now differentiate between a vision and a goal and I have learnt that without a vision even with a very big goal I can have a block in whatever I plan to do.
Keep it up.
Martha.
So glad to hear this was helpful to you, Martha. Too often people achieve their really big goal and instead of feeling great, they feel empty. because they didn’t really understand the purpose. When you know your “why,” you are better able to set the right goals.
Jesse, thank you for your great post! I know this article is from 2012, so I hope you will still read my comment!
I found another article that said “To land a man on the moon and return him safely to earth before the end of the decade” is a vision, but in your article you made it very clear it isn’t as well as how difficult it actually is to distinguish goals from visions.
With your explanation it makes me hesitate about visions that are known for being so great, of other companies. For instance, Nike had a vision “Crush Adidas” (1960) or Honda “to destroy Yamaha” (1970). Even though many people are praiseful about this vision statement, aren’t these comparable with John F. Kennedy’s statement?
Thanks a lot for inspiring me!
Wendy
Hi Wendy, It’s good that you’re raising these questions. An enduring vision is about being great, not just beating the competition. Unfortunately, the term “vision” is greatly overused and misunderstood. I write a lot on this subject. If you’re interested in learning more about how to create a vision that is compelling and enduring, I suggest you check out more of my blog posts on this topic or read my book, Full Steam Ahead! Unleash the Power of Vision. And I encourage you to keep asking questions!
Thank you for your fast reply! It’s what I assumed, but now I finally got the confirmation as well. Great! I just ordered your book and am looking forward to learn more about it.
Would love to hear from you after you finish it. Hopefully you will find some good answers and it will raise some new questions.
Hi Jesse!
I was reading my Joyce Meyer devotional today and it said we should be “goal-oriented visionaries.” When I was about to put down my goals and visions, I realised I didn’t even know the difference between the two that’s why I searched this post. I’m really really glad yours was the first post I read because it brings so much light and meaning.
I must say a very big thank you to you for this amazing post filled with concrete examples 🙂
However I’m still a bit unsure about what to write down. Your post makes it seem like you should have one big vision for your life and numerous goals to back it up. Is that the case or can one have different visions for different aspects of one’s life?
Thanks again, Angel
Hi Angel, I’m glad to hear this was helpful for you. That’s a really good question about whether to have one big vision for you life or different visions. The answer is “both.” You can have a results-oriented picture for different areas of your life that you set goals for – your personal life, your spiritual life, your work life. But you will see patterns of the same values and variation on purpose. Think of it as looking out the window of an airplane. As the plane gets higher, you see less and less detail and more of the whole landscape. At the 25,000 feet view, you will see a thread that pulls through all of the areas of your life and will inform a larger vision.
Wow, your post is awesome and the way you answer questions with so much clarity, powerful!!! I had to read all the questions and answers, after which I got so much understanding now.
We were told to put down our vision this year then now this month, our goals, that’s why I came online to know the difference between goal and vision, with all these, I can now easily put down my vision and corresponding goals.
I realised all I wrote down as vision earlier are merely goals. Having a great picture, vision, fills me with so much power to do
Thank you so much, more grease n grace! .
Delighted to hear this was helpful for you, Omotola. Thanks for letting me know.
Thanks Jesse. This is quite insightful for me. I work in an organization that has been in existence for over 30 years. We have a mission statement and about seven goals but no Vision statement. I am in the process of crafting a vision statement after sharing with the Directors and the owner of the Company. This is really helpful. I am glad I got this from your blog.
So glad you found it helpful, Renee. As you think about crafting your vision statement, keep in mind that what’s important is not only what it says but also how it’s created and how it’s lived. My article How to Create a Shared Vision includes links to several posts on this topic. Wishing you the best with this important endeavor!
Hi Jesse
This is by far the most simple and to the point article i have read on vision and goals. Thanks so much for taking the time share your wisdom.
Kind regards
Taryn
Thanks, Taryn. So glad you found this useful.
Thank you Jesse. I have struggled with vision vs goals and this post was very helpful. I have view a few articles on this topic and yours has been very, very helpful in my search for understanding. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Larry. So many people are confused about this and my hope is to bring clarity. Glad you found it helpful.
Hi Jesse!
I am currently a senior in college at the University of Central Oklahoma, and I came across your post while searching for sources for a research paper. This topic was one of my subheadings so I was so glad I found it! Thank you for this post and the information provided! It helped me a lot!
Regards,
Holly
Hi Jesse, I found your interesting articles while looking for information about company vision sharing. I’ve been looking into this subject for this reason: I’ve been a dedicated worker for over 20years at a company where sharing the Owner’s vision was never discussed until our company meeting last week. I’ve been been with the company longer than anyone except the Owner (was actually a founder and part owner of the company at first). I’ve alway agreed with the company mission of “thrilled clients, happy employees, and profitable projects”, though even that is not the mainspring of all I do.
In the company wide (about 20 employees there) meeting last week the Owner dropped the bombshell (at least it looked like that to me) that it was now essential to share the Owner’s vision – basically doubling the size and revenue of the company – to remain at the company – was actually now a litmus test for employment, starting immediately. All employees were asked to speak at the meeting and I went last. It seemed no one noticed the new “litmus test” as delineated on the board in front of us as it was never brought up till it was my turn to speak. It was worded as “free up to pursue other things anyone who doesn’t share the company vision” or something very close to that in wording. The Owner seemed a little uncertain how to respond to my request for clarification on whether what I was reading on the board meant what I thought it meant and addressed the team with a quick question, something like “everyone is on board, right?”, assuming we all would be I guess. No one said anything and we quickly moved on to other things. There was no discussion or anything. It seemed to be an elephant in the room that no one wanted to notice except me. Maybe because I was the only one not terribly excited about the new vision and wondered if I would be allowed to stay an employee, though I think others probably felt the same and were afraid to talk about it.
I actually would never have said anything against the vision and never would have even discussed it with anyone so as not to create problems for the Owner. But apparently that was not good enough for the Owner, I soon discovered. I reluctantly was compelled to resign or be forced to be dishonest and say that I shared the vision. I don’t think anyone else was ever asked point blank their view of the vision.
Right now I find myself unemployed and the whole thing still seems a bit surreal. Especially because I was always, and everyone who had been around very long knew this, the most dedicated employee, consistently working substantially more hours and striving more at self improvement in what I did personally than anyone who worked there, including the Owner.
My question is, is this a normal occurrence in companies? Anyway, maybe I’m just looking for a little support for my feeling that all this was unreasonable. Maybe I’m off base and should just move on without giving it another thought. I do know that I am moving on, as I am now “free’d up” to pursue other things. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Hi Dan, No this is not normal. What you describe must leave you reeling, and I think you need support to process your feelings and plan for your next steps. Wishing you the best, Jesse
Thanks alot for responding Jesse. I was beginning to think I was missing something that I had done wrong and deserved to be so treated. It seems kinda surreal, but I believe One higher than myself is in control and so am not stressed about it surprisingly. Gonna get my contractors license and give it a whirl myself I guess. It’ll all be alright in the end. Thanks again for your honest answer – it is really helpful – was beginning to feel like I was on an island alone on this. Take care, Dan