In coaching we often talk about having a well formed outcome and how every goal should have one!
When I talk about outcomes I mean the results or consequences of achieving the goal. I always work on the premise that goals and outcomes will be crystal clear, visualised, discussed and easily brought to mind.
So for example Sarah wants to be a manager within two years, so her goal is to be manager and the objective of her goal is promotion.
She goes for it, puts in the hours, seen talking to the right people, produces excellent work and bob's your uncle, she gets promoted!
But her marriage has ended and her kids spend more time with their Father because of the hours she's doing. She constantly feels guilty and feels she missed out on two years of their growing up and resents the time they spend with Dad.
By talking to her coach she would have been invited to explore the impact and conditions in achieving such a goal, this would give her an all round view. She would also be invited to look at the benefits and rewards of achieving her goal so ultimately she can make a well informed decision and plan accordingly.
And of course you don't need to bother with all this, but as these few lines from Alice in Wonderland cleverly illustrate you can end up anywhere or nowhere ...
"...Alice went on ... would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?
That depends where you want to get to, said the cat. I don't much care where, said Alice. Then it doesn't matter which way you go, said the cat. So long as I get somewhere Alice added as an explanation.
Oh your sure to do that, said the cat, if you walk long enough."
