To achieve a purpose, you need to set goals. A purpose is more abstract—it’s the ideal or direction you’re aiming for. A goal, on the other hand, is something concrete you need to reach in order to fulfill that purpose. And when you break that goal down into smaller steps and specific actions, you’ve made a plan.
Let’s say a family wants to grow closer, so they decide to take a trip to an island, go fishing, and enjoy some fresh seafood together. In this case, the purpose is building family harmony, the goal is taking the island trip, and the plan includes fishing and sharing a seafood meal.
But do we always have to stick exactly to the plan in order to achieve the purpose? Many people tend to think things will only go well if everything goes according to plan. They may hesitate to change their plans, especially if they spent a lot of time carefully putting them together.
Since the future is unpredictable, plans can easily be disrupted by unexpected events. That’s why it’s important to remember that plans can—and sometimes should—be adjusted. (Of course, this is different if the problem is simply a lack of willpower.) But if we cling too tightly to the plan, we might lose sight of the original purpose.
Imagine that the family’s fishing or seafood meal falls through, and they end up arguing because things didn’t go as planned. In that case, their true goal—spending a peaceful, happy time together—would be lost.
The purpose is more important than the plan.