Introduction
Are you currently engaged in any long-term efforts, such as work or study?
And if so, what kind of goals have you set for yourself?
Some people might say, “I haven’t really set any goals,” or “I’m just dealing with whatever’s in front of me for now.”
Of course, moving forward without clear goals can be a valid choice.
However, in many cases, having a clear goal tends to lead to better efficiency and outcomes—something many people have likely experienced firsthand.
This article is aimed at those who feel they’re working toward a goal but aren’t making the progress they hoped for.
It offers a chance to rethink how goals are set and approached.
Even when we have goals, we sometimes feel:
“I don’t feel like I’m making any progress.”
“I run out of steam halfway through.”
Many people may have struggled with these feelings.
One possible cause is not fully understanding the types of goals and how to use or combine them effectively.
What Exactly Is a Goal?
When we talk about “goals,” we often treat the term as a single concept.
But in reality, goals come in many forms and serve different purposes.
In this article, we’ll take a simplified approach and divide goals into two broad types.
Why? Because doing so makes it easier to understand them—and more importantly, to turn them into actionable steps.
1. Outcome Goals (Goals that focus on the end result)
= The final "result" or "state" you want to achieve.
Examples:
- Score 800 on a test
- Generate ¥100,000 in sales this month
- Reach 1,000 followers on social media
2. Action Goals (Goals that focus on the process)
= Specific actions that you can take through your own effort.
Examples:
- Study English for 10 minutes every day
- Send one sales email each day
- Post content twice a week
If you currently have a goal you're working on, which category does it fall into?
Or perhaps you’re combining both types?
Looking at these examples, how do they feel to you?
At first glance, this may seem obvious. But in practice, many of us pursue our goals without consciously recognizing which type they are.
Characteristics of Outcome Goals and Action Goals
So what are the specific differences and characteristics of outcome goals and action goals?
Let’s break down the strengths and weaknesses of each.
1. Outcome Goals – Pros and Cons
Pros
- A clear goal provides direction and helps maintain motivation.
- Achieving the goal brings a strong sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
Cons
- These goals are often influenced by external factors beyond your control.
- If it takes too long to see results, it can lead to anxiety and frustration.
- A mismatch between your current abilities and the goal's difficulty can create a negative cycle—when you put in effort but don’t see results, it can feel like failure and lead to self-doubt or a sense of stagnation.
2. Action Goals – Pros and Cons
Pros
- You can complete them entirely through your own effort, making them less susceptible to outside influences.
- Well-suited for consistency and habit-building.
- You can adjust the difficulty yourself, making it easier to build momentum through small wins and boost your confidence.
Cons
- It’s easy to lose sight of the purpose, and the actions themselves can become the goal (i.e., going through the motions).
- You may start questioning whether the actions are actually meaningful.
- Repetition can lead to boredom, or routines may turn into mindless habits.
Both outcome goals and action goals have their own strengths.
While outcome goals provide a direction to move toward, action goals support your daily steps on the path forward.
However, leaning too heavily on just one type can lead to common obstacles:
- Only outcome goals: You feel motivated but don’t know what specific actions to take, or you become discouraged when results don’t come quickly.
- Only action goals: You stay busy but lose sight of where you're headed, and eventually question the point of continuing.
That’s why it’s important to combine both.
Designing goals that include both “results” and “actions” makes it easier to stay motivated and maintain steady progress.
How to Combine Outcome Goals and Action Goals
So how can we actually combine outcome goals and action goals to work more effectively toward our objectives?
Since goals vary greatly from person to person, there’s no universal formula that guarantees success.
Instead, this section introduces a few sample combinations to help you visualize how to use both types of goals in practice.
Example 1: 🏃 Improving Physical Fitness
Outcome Goals:
- Lose 5 kg in 3 months
- Complete a 10km marathon
Action Goals:
- Walk or jog for 30 minutes every morning
- Avoid snacking after 9 PM each day
- Record your weight once a week
Example 2: 💰 Improving Sales Performance
Outcome Goal:
- Acquire 5 new clients by the end of this month
Action Goals:
- Send 10 outreach messages daily
- Review your sales pitch once a week
- Take notes on successful patterns and try to replicate them
Example 3: 👥 Improving Relationships or Daily Habits
Outcome Goals:
- Reconnect with 3 old friends within the next month
- Make at least one positive comment per day to someone
Action Goals:
- Reach out to one person each week
- Write a short note each morning about who you want to talk to or what you want to say
- Reflect at the end of each day on who you interacted with and how
A Common Key: Regular Reflection
Once you've set your goals, it’s crucial not to “set and forget.”
Especially with action goals, it’s easy to fall into the trap of doing tasks just for the sake of doing them.
On low-energy days, you might find yourself just going through the motions, and routines can become empty rituals.
To prevent this, ask yourself regularly:
“Are my current actions still aligned with the outcome I originally aimed for?”
If needed, adjust your action goals, slow down the pace, or fine-tune your approach to fit your current situation.
Outcome Goals as a “Compass,” Action Goals as “Steps”
Think of your outcome goals as your destination on a map, and your action goals as the steps you take to get there.
Without either, you may either stand still with a clear map or wander without knowing your destination.
That’s why maintaining a balanced, flexible relationship between the two is the key to making steady, sustainable progress.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading this far.
In this article, we explored how to approach goal-setting from two perspectives: outcome goals and action goals.
Some parts may have felt a bit abstract, but I hope it offered even a small insight that can help you reflect on your own way of setting and pursuing goals.
Of course, how we tackle long-term goals varies greatly from person to person, and the approach presented here is by no means a one-size-fits-all solution.
Still, I believe there's value in knowing that "this is one way to think about it" when you're trying to find a method that works best for you.
If reading this article sparked any thoughts like, “This is how I approach my goals,” or “Here’s a trick that worked well for me,” I’d love to hear your experiences!
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