Are goals and plans the same thing? Goals are like wishful thinking until you put action behind them! It’s what you want to do vs what makes it on your to-do list.
Are goals and plans the same thing? Goals are like wishful thinking until you put action behind them! It’s what you want to do vs what makes it on your to-do list.
Setting goals is an inspiring process—it’s like dreaming out loud. Whether it’s about climbing the corporate ladder, running that marathon, or finally perfecting your work-life balance, goals provide direction.
But how many times have you looked back at those goals, and realized they’re still sitting there, untouched? What went wrong? Most often, the missing link isn’t your motivation—it’s the plan to get there.
The Dreamer vs. The Doer
Let’s break it down. Goals are your vision—the “what” you want to achieve. They can be short-term (something you want to accomplish next week) or long-term (your five-year career aspirations). But as inspiring as they are, goals are only half the battle.
Without a plan, goals are like wishful thinking.
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A plan, on the other hand, is the action—the concrete steps you’ll take to reach those goals. This is where the magic happens. A goal might get you excited, but a plan gets you moving.
WHAT’SYOURPLAN?
Think of it like this: your goal is the destination on a road trip. It’s the place you really want to go, but it doesn’t guarantee you’ll get there. Your plan is the GPS route—it maps out exactly how you’ll arrive. Sure, you could try driving without a map, but you might take wrong turns or run out of gas before reaching your destination.
Why Plans Matter More Than Goals
A well-thought-out plan is what separates a goal from a vague wish. Without a plan, goals remain in the “someday” pile.
For example, you might have a goal to read more books this year. It sounds great, but what’s the plan? Are you setting aside time each day? What books are on your list? Is there a clear finish line or just a general hope you’ll read more?
In this way, goals feel good but don’t do anything until we give them a structure. Your plan is what transforms “I want to run a marathon” into “I’ll follow this 12-week training schedule, waking up at 6 AM daily to run.”
But that’s not all. The real kicker is when plans become schedules. Because even the best action plan won’t work if it’s not prioritized.
The Importance of Prioritizing Your Plans
Here’s the uncomfortable truth. Not everything on your to-do list is a priority. While it may feel good to cross things off, your list might be packed with items that don’t move the needle towards your big goals.
That’s why it’s crucial to consistently compare what you are spending your time on versus what you should be spending your time on. Ask yourself: Is this task aligned with my long-term vision, or is it just a filler?
To put it into perspective: If your goal is to write a book, spending time responding to non-urgent emails, browsing the internet, or organizing your desk might feel productive, but is it really getting you closer to the finish line?
Your action plan needs to focus on what matters most to you and allocate time accordingly. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself spinning your wheels on tasks that don’t contribute to your progress.
How to Turn Your To-Do List into an Action List
This is where I want to challenge you. Look at your current to-do list. How much of it actually supports your biggest goals? Probably not as much as you’d like to admit. That’s why I’ve created a free downloadable daily planner just for you!
This planner helps you not only prioritize your top three goals for the day but also includes sections for time-blocking and reflecting on what matters most to you. You’ll be able to spot where your time goes, make sure it aligns with your goals, and start taking actionable steps every single day.
In this planner, you’ll find:
Top 3 Things That Must Get Done: These are the non-negotiables that align directly with your goals.
Time Block Focus: Allocate specific blocks of time to stay on track and avoid distractions.
Just One Small Decision at a Time: Break down your biggest goal into manageable pieces, so you feel more empowered to act.
Self-care Reminders: Because let’s face it, you can’t reach your goals if you’re burnt out!
It’s not just about doing more—it’s about doing what’s important.
Ready to Move from Dreaming to Doing?
Goals will always give you something to strive for, but plans turn that ambition into action. By creating a daily structure that prioritizes what matters most to you, you’ll see real progress—not just more items checked off your to-do list.
Take control of your time and start aligning your daily actions with your biggest dreams.
Download the Daily Planner now and see how much more you can accomplish when your time is working for you, not against you.
With this planner in hand, you can stop wishing and start doing—one small, intentional step at a time. Because reaching your goals isn’t about making grand, sweeping changes overnight. It’s about consistently choosing the tasks that matter most, day by day.
Let’s turn that wishful thinking into real, tangible success!
This is why I love coaching women in mid-life to turn their “someday” dream into reality! You don’t want to be in the same place next year that you were last year.
✅ Join our FB Group 💙 for a virtual road trip with friends navigating the journey and helping each other through the detours and potholes 🤷♀️. Someday:the8thDayoftheWeek
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