If you’re a creative like us, you know that the mind has a tendency to wander, to get itself into trouble every now and then. It might not always make sense…but can’t a girl dream?
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a marine biologist. Then I wanted to be an artist. A travel blogger. An ecologist. Nothing was off the table.
Even at this point in my life, I could be any of those things. All I need is resolve and…
…goals.
That’s right, goals!
Think of dreams as the destination, while goals are the means of attaining them—the stepping stones. There are a few distinctions to be made between dreams and goals, which we’ll talk about here.
Goals vs. Dreams
Dreams are nebulous little beings. They float freely, like a cloud. A dream can virtually be any wish or vision you may have for yourself.
Conversely, goals are more defined. They provide direction, they’re specific, attainable, and measurable. In college, I learned about the concept of SMART goals:
SMART goals are…
- Specific: What exactly is it you want to achieve? You might have a very broad plan, which may comprise of a bunch of smaller, more specific goals. These are those goals.
- Measurable: This provides a way of gauging your progress. How will you know you’ve reached your goal?
- Attainable: Make sure you can realistically achieve your goal.
- Relevant: Why do you want to achieve your goal?
- Time-Based: Set your deadline for when you’d like to reach your goal.
SMART is a general road map for creating thorough goals that get you results. It helps you get the most accurate sense of what you want to achieve, and how you’ll get there. You can see how a broad, formless dream differs from their more structured counterparts.
Check out our SMART goals sheet and create your own!
The Value of Setting Goals
In starting a small business, goals truly are vital. Ask yourself, what am I passionate about? What do I want to provide to people? How will I market my company? How will I make my brand recognizable to people?
All of these are little components to consider. When we take on a client, we take time to truly assess their vision and where they want to be.
Goals provide structure and direction, like a to-do list (very useful for us busybodies!!). They give you that satisfaction of being able to cross a line off that list. You know when you get them done, and when you get closer to your dream.
Goals are the steps of the ladder that lead to those dream clouds. They make dreams not so out-of-reach, and eventually turn them into tangible realities.
Till next time,
Amina
