There are many words in the English dictionary which people use interchangeably as they think two words have similar meanings and can be used in any contest in a sentence.
Two such words are mission and goals. Both these words may appear to be similar in meaning, but they are two completely different words.
A person must not use the terms goals and mission interchangeably, as they have vast differences. If replacement takes place between these two words in a sentence, it will change the meaning of the entire sentence leading to miscommunication.
Key Takeaways
- A mission is a statement of an organization’s purpose or reason for existing, while a goal is a specific and measurable outcome that an organization aims to achieve.
- A mission statement guides an organization’s strategy and decision-making, while goals provide direction and focus for specific actions and initiatives.
- A mission statement is broader and more general than a goal, which is more specific and time-bound.
Mission vs Goals
The path which is followed to attain a particular goal is a mission. A mission is set to improve the performance of something. The purpose of a particular business is defined by a mission. The final result which is attained after following a particular plan and performing specific tasks, is a goal. It can take weeks or months to achieve a goal.
The mission is a word that means to carry a motto for bringing in betterment in something or someone. A mission can be carried out by a single person or even a group of people having the same motto or tagline.
A mission states a purpose from which any kind of business or a company operates systematically.
The goal is a word that means the steps to achieve the final part of a mission. There is a need to carry out a goal in systematic planning to achieve the result through the mission.
The goal is, in short, the main aim or motive of the company or any individual performing any business or task.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Mission | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Number of letters | This is a 7-lettered word. | This is a 5-lettered word. |
| Meaning | This is the path to achieving the goal. | This is the final result achieved through systematic planning and management. |
| Defination | This is, in short, the version of an organization built for improving a community or themselves. | This is, in short, the version of a systematic plan for achieving the mission. |
| Concept | This is a broad concept. | This is a narrow concept. |
| Writing format | This is always observed to be written vaguely. | This is always written in a specific, measurable, and uniform manner. |
What is Mission?
The mission is a word that means to carry a motto for bringing in betterment in something or someone. A mission can be carried out by a single person or even a group of people having the same motto or tagline.
A mission states a purpose from which any kind of business or a company operates systematically.
A mission is a statement that helps guide the everyday working of members in a company and helps the board members make decisions accordingly in the manner the mission is supposed to be carried out.
An example of the mission is that in any company registered under section 8, which has its mission statement.
An NGO’s mission statement is that it should perform towards things that will only improve the social well-being of humans or any living thing.
It is very essential to carry out a mission in the most systematic way in a company or for an individual, as this is the only way of attaining the goal or motive.
What are Goals?
The goal is a word that means the steps to achieve the final part of a mission. There is a need to carry out a goal in systematic planning to achieve the result through the mission.
The goal is, in short, the main aim or motive of the company or any individual performing any business or task.
Performing in a manner to attain the goal in a company gives a sense of path or direction, which helps to achieve a goal in the short term or the long term.
A short-term goal based on what it may even take months or weeks to attain and see the final result. This process of attaining goals requires patience.
Another type of short goal is a goal that would get completed within 6 to 7 hours, which also depends on what goal has to be achieved.
A long-term plan is a construction plan of a building that may go up to years to achieve the goals. In short, a short-term goal is a part of achieving a long-term goal in the future.
Main Differences Between Mission and Goals
- The word Mission has 7 letters, and on the other hand the word goals have 5 letters in it.
- The mission is the path of achieving the goal, and on the other hand, the goal is the final result achieved through systematic planning and management.
- A version of an organization built for improving a community or themselves is known as a mission, and on the other hand, a version of a systematic plan for achieving the mission is a goal.
- A mission is a broader concept; on the other hand, a goal is a narrow concept achieved through small wins in missions.
- A mission is observed to be written vaguely; on the other hand, a goal is always written in a specific, measurable, and uniform manner.
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-010-0375-9_2
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11214-017-0449-2
Last Updated : 24 June, 2023
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Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
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