Are Your Goals Leading You to the Right Outcome?

Let me ask you something: Have you ever set a goal, worked hard to achieve it, and then realised it didn’t bring the change you were hoping for? Maybe you got the promotion, but it didn’t make you feel more fulfilled. Or you hit your fitness target, but it didn’t leave you feeling any healthier.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The difference between goals and outcomes is subtle but crucial. And once you understand it, everything changes.

That’s where the GROW Model comes in. This simple but powerful framework; Goal, Reality, Options, Will,helps ensure that your goals actually lead to the outcomes that matter most to you.

The Key Difference Between Goals and Outcomes

Goals are the specific, measurable steps you take to achieve something. They provide direction, structure, and motivation. But outcomes? They are the real, lasting changes that happen as a result of your efforts.

For example, if your goal is to lose 10 pounds in three months, the outcome might be feeling more energised, improving overall health, and developing long-term healthy habits. The goal is the action, but the outcome is the transformation.

In a professional setting, a goal might be getting a promotion, but the desired outcome could be greater influence, better job satisfaction, or improved financial security. Without a clear focus on outcomes, it’s easy to achieve goals that don’t actually bring the change you want.

Using the GROW Model to Align Goals and Outcomes

To make sure your goals truly lead to meaningful change, let’s break them down using the GROW Model:

Goal: What do you want to achieve?

This is where you define your target clearly. For example: “Improve confidence in social situations.”

Reality: Where are you now?

Take stock of your current situation. Are you avoiding social situations? Do you struggle to speak up? Understanding your starting point helps set realistic goals.

Options: What could you do?

There’s always more than one way forward. Could you start by introducing yourself to one new person a week? Join a networking event? Practise speaking in low-pressure situations?

Will: What will you do?

This is where commitment happens. Maybe your goal is to speak up in at least one meeting per week in the short term, leading to the longer-term outcome of delivering a presentation to a group of 20 people without feeling anxious.

By following this model, you ensure that your goals are stepping stones to your outcome, rather than just ticking boxes.

Why Goals Alone Aren’t Enough

It’s easy to get caught up in chasing goals without questioning whether they’re leading to the outcome you really want.

Imagine you set a goal to increase sales by 20%. You hit the target, but at the cost of long hours, stress, and exhaustion. Technically, you succeeded. But was it worth it?

That’s why focusing on outcomes is so important. Instead of setting a goal like “get a promotion,” ask yourself: What’s the real change I want to see? Maybe it’s more influence, better work-life balance, or greater financial security.

Aligning Goals with Meaningful Outcomes

To make sure your goals are actually leading to the change you want, ask yourself:

What’s the deeper purpose behind this goal?

How will I feel once I achieve it?

What impact will it have on my life or work?

When you start with the outcome in mind, your goals become more meaningful and more likely to get you where you actually want to go.

Let’s Talk

I’d love to help you explore this further. Think about a goal you’re working on right now; does it truly align with the outcome you want? If you’re not sure, let’s figure it out together.

Grab a coffee (or tea!) and book a free 30-minute discovery call here.