Are the "Aims" beyond the "Goals" we set for our life?

Question after question after question. I am filling my free time by answering these great questions from my last webinar. G asked me the perfect question. And she offered some kind words that warmed the cockles of my heart, plus lets me know that sharing this expertise is worth it and keeps me in this game:

"Thank you, Domenic, for a great presentation. Lots of good information was given."

I know many of you will be working on your Primary Aims from the resources. There may be a time when you may become puzzled. G's question about aims and goals is one of those times.

Thank you, G. This question allows me to help you with the difference between the two. The clearer you can make this distinction, the more opportunity you have to create lasting aims.

I have had the "pleasure" of collaborating with many remarkable mentors and many more excellent employees. I tried to build the first without many of the tools and methods I am teaching today. Yes, I created three multi-million-dollar businesses. But, I did not have any leadership foundations for the first business: primary aims, strategic objectives, value statements, organizational charts, and positions.

But with the following two businesses, how we started the business was without these tools and methods. But once we added these foundations, after creating them and after the time to implementing them. I think you know the results: more profits, freedom both financially and time-wise for my family, financial and professional growth for the employees, and exponential growth.

One tool I started with in the last business, and with the many business owners I coach, is the tool: Primary Aims.

I, too, had a difficult time writing what my aims were and mixing them up with what my goals were. I thought that goals and aims were similar.
My first stab (OMG, this was 1996) at it was full of goals:

My notes with creating my Aims in 1996 with Susan Wilhelmsen at E-Myth

"Daddy, you are on the phone all the time," was still ringing deep in the recesses of my brain. I wanted to build a world-class organization, which is one of my aims. But building this organization could not take away from my most important aim of "Family."

I can hear what you are thinking at this very moment, "Domenic, really? I am going to throw the BS card. Are you putting family above running a business? You need profits from your business to live this family aim."

I hear you loud and clear. We are all business people, entrepreneurs, career people, and owners. Of course, we need profits. Of course, we need to focus time on the business to make these profits. In the beginning, being present in both worlds was a challenge. But that is another story.

Right now, I would like to get into this Q & A.

Hi G,

Thank you for spending time and for the kind words.

Your question: Are the "Aims" beyond the "Goals" we set for our life?

The first webinar, Three Key Principles to Help Your Business Work for You," was the summary of the four-part series. We looked at three key principles. I shared these keys and how the three keys work in synergy to make more profits, find more free time, and still grow. THEY WORK!

I pulled one of the keys out for a deeper dive with the next webinar, "Leadership, Are You Read to Start or Grow a Business?"
I focused on the key principle, Leadership.

G, you made a good observation.
There is a difference between goals and aims.
I could only briefly talk about them in the webinar. Thank you for allowing me to continue this discussion.

I showed you what primary aims are and why they are essential. But let's face it, without knowing how to implement them. The step and process are all bark and no bite.

What are the Primary Aims?

Primary Aims, the why of our lives are the values we live daily.
Values are the qualities of being and doing.

Your Primary Aim is to lead a life consistent with your desires, core values, and beliefs.
A life you live intentionally rather than randomly,
A life that is meaningful to you rather than happenstance.

For example, my most crucial primary aim is family.
I cannot achieve this value; it is always a thing to achieve.

This value (aim) can only be part of my life by acting and doing things about the family. I have to make choices in life, like helping my daughters move to another apartment, taking my favorite mother-in-law (she is my only one, but still my favorite), traveling with my family, and guiding them when they ask (or when they don't).

Values (aims) are what you would want on your tombstone.
For me (so many years from now), it would be Domenic, father to his triple daughters, a perpetual learner that teaches and mentors people that want to achieve more success. He traveled the world with great friends and his beautiful extended family.

What are goals?

Values are not to be mixed up with goals.

I speak to audiences a few times a year. When I discuss values and goals, the audience finds these two words hard to separate.

When discussing the difference, I start with what goals are.
Goals are things we have. Goals are achievements.
They are things we want or have, but values are not objects.
Goals are finite. Once we achieve them, they are done.
Goals start and end.

G, for example, let's look at the goal of buying a car.
You want to buy a car this year, a goal.
You start.
You research all the cars that interest you.
You look up the ratings and the reviews.
You narrow down the ones you like.
You go to car dealers and take them for a ride.
You choose one.
You get finance.
You buy.
You are finished.

Are the "Aims" beyond the "Goals" we set for our life?

A simple answer is yes; aims are beyond goals.

Goals can be part of values.
So many times, these goals serve how and what we value.

One of my values is to learn so that I can teach.
I have another goal to write and publish a book.

Here is a goal that will serve my value. I have to learn the following:
• Write the first draft – I must learn how to write better (go figure). I am in a writing community, Akimbo.
• Editing the draft – WTF do I know? I need mentoring, so I hire a fabulous editor, Brannan Sirratt. Not sure if she is doing the writing, ass-kicking, or editing.
• Marketing the book – I am reading my butt off, looking for authors that may help with more ideas. Presently reading Marketing Made Simple by Donald Miller
• Marketing/publishing the book – again, I need help. I found a great marketer/publisher of books, Susan Campbell

This goal serves me because I have an aim/value of learning (how to write/publish a book) with the result of teaching people to their success in life and business (aim).
I give value to this goal.
I give this goal meaning and purpose.
It is a goal that serves my value.

A goal of traveling to Disney: how do you plan this goal? Photos to add.
Value of family
Value of Travel
Goals are the trip itself.

Goals start and finish. They are an achievement.
Primary Aims are enduring.
Primary aims are ongoing and do not have a finite time.
They will always be ongoing.
You will always be making choices to satisfy your aims.

I hope this helps you, G.
Let me know if you have any more questions on your journey.