In a recent discussion with Alex Fayle at Someday Syndrome, we agreed that a dream is a somewhat vague idea of something you’d like to accomplish, whereas a goal is a specific commitment you make to help turn your dream into a reality. For Alex, the two are further distinguished by the “thrill factor.” As he puts it, “goals are practical but dreams send chills down your spine.”

I had never thought of things in quite that way, so I decided to see what others have to say on the subject. Here are some of the quotes I found. Not all use the words “dream” and “goal” but they all make it clear that there are two separate processes involved.

“Goals are dreams with deadlines.”

Diana Scharf Hunt

“First say to yourself what you would be;
and then do what you have to do.”

Epictetus

“Strategic planning is worthless –
unless there is first a strategic vision.”

John Naisbett

“Goals provide the energy source that powers our lives. One of the best ways we can get the most from the energy we have is to focus it. That is what goals can do for us: concentrate our energy.”

Denis Waitley

There’s something about that last quote that I really like. It definitely makes it easier and more enjoyable to get through my daily activities when I have a specific goal in mind, rather than just completing tasks because I have to. But that’s enough navel-gazing for today – it’s time to go and work on my goals!

How do dreams and goals fit into the way you live your life?