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Goal-Oriented vs. Goal-Driven: What is the Difference?
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What does goal-oriented mean?
Goal-oriented vs. goal-driven
Skills that demonstrate goal-orientation
How to list goal-oriented skills on a resume
In the workplace, employees are often required to do more work with fewer resources. It can be easy
to feel overwhelmed, but you can alleviate this feeling by developing a goal-oriented mindset.
Becoming goal-oriented allows you to organize your daily tasks while staying focused on the bigger
picture. This article will help you understand the goal-oriented mindset and the skills to become goal-
oriented.
What does goal-oriented mean?
Goal-oriented means setting goals and planning tasks, then taking action to complete the tasks that
lead to the larger, overall accomplishment while staying focused on the desired results. Becoming
goal-oriented allows you to effectively allocate your time and energy to tasks that drive progress
toward the results you want. Developing a goal-oriented mindset means focusing your energy in three
major areas: planning and organizing your tasks, completing tasks, and maintaining your motivation.
Planning and organizing the tasks required to complete a goal allows you to feel more control over the
project and its outcomes. Goal-oriented means being single-minded in pursuit of a goal, which
translates to focusing on and completing each individual task. Focusing on and completing each task
also allows you to track progress toward achieving the goal, which helps you maintain motivation.
Results-oriented is another word for goal-oriented. It means you plan your activities and complete
tasks in the pursuit of a specific goal or result.
Goal-oriented vs. goal-driven
Goal-oriented and goal-driven are often used as synonyms. However, they can also work together.
Goal-oriented is staying focused on your goals while planning and completing tasks toward the
accomplishment of your goals. Being goal-driven can help you maintain motivation in performing daily
tasks by knowing that the tasks lead to an overall goal. Daily tasks can feel overwhelming, but
maintaining focus on the bigger picture and the desired outcomes will help you stay organized and
motivated.
Skills that demonstrate goal-orientation
Some skills help support and develop a goal-oriented mindset. Learning and developing these skills
can help you become goal-oriented, manage your workload and increase job satisfaction.
Here are some examples of goal-oriented skills:
Planning and organization
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The ability to plan and organize your time and space allows you to prioritize work, meet deadlines and
maintain an orderly space to stay on top of projects and assignments. This shows employers that you
are able to manage your workload to complete assignments on time. Planning and organization
require the ability to accurately estimate the time required to complete tasks and prioritize work to
ensure you meet important deadlines. Planning and organization also help you feel more in control of
your time and energy, which will help you stay motivated toward accomplishing your goals.
Prioritizing
Prioritizing is the ability to identify important tasks that you need to complete first before moving on to
less important tasks. The ability to prioritize your work is related to time management and helps you
complete important tasks on time. Prioritizing your tasks allows you to complete the important tasks
that drive progress toward your goals. Prioritizing these important tasks allows you to see the results
of your work as you track progress toward your goals.
Time management
Time management is the ability to plan and prioritize your time. It includes accurately assessing how
long tasks will take and planning tasks accordingly to make the most of your time and meet deadlines.
Although constant productivity may seem like the best way to manage your time, taking breaks and
scheduling down-time is an important aspect of time management. Breaks allow you to rest and
regroup before tackling the next task. Successfully managing your time will help you stay focused and
make progress toward larger goals.
Motivation
Motivation is the ability to commit to performing a task and following through with that commitment. It
can be external or internal. The rewards and consequences you expect are considered external
motivation. Being goal-oriented and focusing on the results you expect after accomplishing a goal is
an example of external motivation. Internal motivation is the way work makes you feel. A sense of
purpose or gratification from work is an example of internal motivation. Understanding and identifying
your motivations help you commit to performing the tasks to achieve your goals.
How to list goal-oriented skills on a resume
Listing goal-oriented skills on your resume can show that you can effectively manage your workload,
complete tasks and meet deadlines in the workplace. It is important to list skills you are confident in so
you can discuss the details and represent yourself properly.
Here are two ways to include these skills on your resume:
1. First, you can list goal-oriented skills on your resume directly within a ‘Skills’ section
If you have a separate section on your resume for listing relevant skills, include important goal-
oriented skills in this section. For clarity, consider grouping these skills separately from technical or
functional skills.
2. Second, you can include goal-oriented skills on your resume within descriptions of your
experience
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You can also include goal-oriented skills in your ‘Work/Professional Experience’ section. For example,
you can list experience that demonstrates how you effectively planned and prioritized tasks then
managed your time to complete a project before the deadline.
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