Goals often go by many names, and their exact meaning can be nuanced. Whether we call them goals, aims, targets, or objectives, the terminology can be context-dependent. What might be considered a goal in one setting could be labeled an objective somewhere else. However, for the purpose of this article, we're talking about things we want to achieve in a personal context rather than a business one.
Two Fundamental Categories
I like to think of goals as falling into two broad categories: state goals and performance goals. Understanding the difference between these two types is fundamentally important for effective personal development.
State Goals
State goals are very much about how you want to feel: joyful, content, happy, fulfilled, loved, energized. These are actually really big, worthy things to aim for in life. Once we achieve them, it doesn't mean we have to move on to the next goal—we want to stay in that state.
Sometimes state goals aren't just about feelings, although they can be. For example:
- "I want to be healthy" - Yes, this can be quantified, but actually, we all know what we mean by health.
- "I want to be able to do the activities I enjoy" - We don't need to quantify it; we know what that means.
- "I want to have loving, meaningful relationships" - Again, we don't need to quantify it.
These state goals are profound aspirations that give our lives meaning and direction. I'll talk about these more in another article, as they deserve deeper exploration.
Performance Goals
Performance goals are the classic ones that we can break down. They're SMART goals:
- Specific: Clearly defined and precise
- Measurable: Quantifiable to track progress
- Achievable: Realistic and attainable
- Relevant: Aligned with broader objectives
- Time-bound: With a defined timeline
Insights from Goal-Setting Research
There's lots of interesting research on goals. I particularly like the work of Latham and Locke, who have made several fascinating observations about goal setting:
Distal vs. Proximal Goals
One key insight is that if you've got really big goals, they're going to be far off. These are what they call "distal goals" (distal as in distance). Then we have "proximal goals," which are smaller goals closer to us in proximity. These are the stepping stones that help us get to where we want to go.
For one distal goal, we will have many proximal goals. Think of learning a musical instrument: you start with grade 1, then move to grade 2, grade 3, and eventually you might reach a diploma level if you stick with it long enough. Each grade is a proximal goal on the way to mastery.
The Paradox of Achievement
Another interesting insight from their research is that the achievement of goals is very good for efficiency and effectiveness, particularly in an organizational context. However, the relationship between goal achievement and happiness is more complex. While completing goals provides temporary satisfaction, this feeling is often fleeting and quickly replaced by the pursuit of the next objective.
This creates an interesting dynamic where we need performance goals to stretch us and give our lives meaning and direction, yet we should be mindful that achievement alone may not bring lasting happiness. Other researchers like Sheldon and Kasser have explored this relationship between goal attainment and well-being more deeply.
Self-Efficacy: The Key Determinant
A third fascinating finding from Latham and Locke's research is that one of the most important moderators of goal achievement is something called "self-efficacy." In other words, do you actually believe that you can do it? Do you believe you have the ability and skill to achieve that goal? Their research shows that individuals with high self-efficacy tend to set higher goals and demonstrate stronger commitment to achieving them.
As Henry Ford famously said: "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't – you're right."
Looking Ahead
In future articles, I might explore state goals in more depth, or we could look at some more specific approaches to goal attainment. We might even examine alternatives to goal setting—what does a life without goals actually look like?
There are lots of interesting avenues to explore, and as I get around to it, I'll share more thoughts on this fascinating topic.
What kind of goals are you working toward right now? Are they primarily state goals, performance goals, or a mix of both?
Published 13 March 2025