The Problem With Goals That Don’t Fit
We’re heading into goal-setting season. Whether it’s corporate performance goals, New Year’s resolutions, or personal ambitions, this is the time of year when we’re asked to define what we want to achieve.
But here’s the problem: most people set goals that don’t actually align with who they are.
They chase promotions they don’t really want. They set fitness goals because “everyone else is.” They take on projects to prove something, not because it fits their values. They borrow someone else’s definition of success—and then wonder why reaching the goal doesn’t feel fulfilling.
If you want your goals to energize you instead of drain you, they need to align with your mission, passion, and purpose.
And in this post, I’m going to show you how.
When Goals Align: My Current Role
My current role is a great example of aligning my mission, passion, and purpose together.
I chose to enter this space. I reached out to the leader and said, “I want to help you with this, and here’s why and how.”
It allows me to remain motivated because I chose it. And even when tough moments come—and they do—I refocus on what I can do that aligns. Because I start by doing something, the rest falls into place.
That’s the power of alignment.
When your goals match your mission, passion, and purpose, you don’t have to force motivation. It’s already there.
When Goals Don’t Align—And What to Do About It
But let’s be real: we don’t always get to choose our goals.
There was a time I reported into a leader because there was no other organizational fit. That meant when goals were cascaded down, they didn’t look right on paper. They didn’t reflect what I was actually doing.
So what did I do?
I reframed what was given into my own SMART goals that showed what I would be doing to support the overall goals.
This is why many companies have moved to KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and OKRs (Objectives and Key Results)—to allow different groups to show how they will support achievement of the targets, even if the path looks different.
It’s not always going to be easy. But if we slow down, take a moment, and ask “What CAN I do?”—it’s easier to turn that into actionable items that align to the goal.
The Cost of Misalignment
We have to believe in what we’re doing if we want to be successful. We also need to pick things that make sense with what we feel passionate about. Otherwise, being out of alignment with who we are will drain our energy.
A Personal Example
When I first moved back home after college, I needed a job. So I took one that had good pay and benefits—but it wasn’t really my best fit. It was a call center job.
I was technically overqualified, but it was what was available, and I “needed money.”
Given my values and behaviors, it was tough.
- I don’t suffer lack of willingness and intelligence well, so some customers stressed me out terribly.
- I love to learn, and I learn quickly—so I got labeled a “know-it-all” in no time flat.
- That led to an image that kept me from receiving opportunities.
I had to make a plan and work that much harder to adjust my brand to be liked. It was not really the space for me.
But I did what I had to do to shift the paradigm. And that led to an opportunity in testing software that put me on the amazing path to where I am now and helped me realize what I’m capable of.
There are times we just need to do it because it’s necessary.
But when you have the chance, make sure you take the time to set goals and go after opportunities that make sense—because you will shine brighter and faster.
Chasing the Shiny Object
The other side of this? Some folks go after a job because of a shiny title or the money—to compete with some image they think they need.
I can tell you from personal experience: Go for what your definition of success is. Otherwise, happiness will continue to elude you.
How to Align Corporate Goals With Your Mission
In the corporate world, you’re likely to receive cascaded goals unless you’re the key business leader. This means you’ll need to:
- Look at what was sent and figure out the components that make up success for that goal.
- Determine what you, your team, and your role can do to support that effort.
- Build it out with SMART specifics:
- Specific deliverables
- Measurable progress and results
- Achievable (not too far out of reach)
- Relevant to the goal it supports
- Time-bound (aligned to the timeline above it)
Example:
If I need to build a roof by May, I want to ensure trusses are installed and shingles are received in enough time ahead to finish the project.
- If I don’t get the materials until June, I’ve missed my goal.
- If I get the materials and finish the roof in April, I’ve exceeded my goal.
If you set goals that align with what you do, you’ll be more inclined to check on them, keep working on them, and it helps maintain job satisfaction to understand what you contribute to the company.
Goals—while not something any of us look forward to—put us in the driver’s seat to manage our career progression, performance, and ultimately our pay and bonus.
And here’s the reality: In today’s world, meeting your goals is exceeding. To receive “Exceeds Expectations” in many places is to go way above and beyond. There’s a lot of competition, and the bar keeps getting raised.
The Evaluation Framework: Does This Goal Align?
When I work with my mentees or complete coaching sessions for career improvement, I help them work through:
- Defining their mission, passion, and purpose
- Creating a clear set of statements about who they are as part of the team
The items that come out in these exercises determine what excites and energizes them.
It’s fair to say other items, to varying degrees, will drain energy.
You can’t avoid energy drainers completely—but the more you align to energizers, the easier it will be to keep trekking forward and stay true to your purpose.
Layering Mission, Passion, and Purpose Into SMART Goals
In the corporate world, we have foundations, pillars, and an overall Vision and Strategy.
Here’s how your personal clarity maps to that:
- Your Passion and Purpose fill in the Vision and Strategy
- Your Mission fills in the Pillars
- Your Individual Goals fuel the Foundations to achieve the others
When you think of your SMART goals, think in terms of incremental efforts that reach toward the overall vision.
What to Do When You Have to Pursue Goals That Don’t Fully Align
In life, we can’t avoid the items that drain us or don’t align—but we can adjust our approach to navigating them.
For Work and Relationship Goals:
You’re not alone. There’s at least one other person involved. Share the effort.
Each person has a strength they bring to the table. Use it. Help each other. That will help you:
- Stay aligned to yourself
- Improve in opportunity areas
- Still move toward achievement
Ask for Help:
If you know you have difficulty in an area, ask for an accountability buddy or help from someone who does have a passion in that space. This will:
- Alleviate the energy drain
- Keep you moving forward
- Make you better at asking for help, too
Your Invitation for This Goal-Setting Season
Take some time this year to review your goals. Talk with your partner or leader about what you really want to achieve.
Take a few extra moments to build out goals that make sense and can set you up for success.
Setting up a few strong, specific goals that stretch you but are achievable is a good way to go.
Too many goals split your focus and lead to limited rewards.
Final Thought
Goals aren’t just about what you accomplish. They’re about whether those accomplishments align with who you are.
When your goals reflect your mission, passion, and purpose, they don’t drain you—they fuel you.
So this year, before you fill out that goal template or write your resolutions, ask yourself:
- Does this goal honor one of my core values?
- Does this goal move me toward my mission, passion, and purpose—or away from it?
- Will pursuing this goal energize me or drain me?
- Is this my goal, or am I chasing someone else’s version of success?
The best goals aren’t the ones that look good on paper. They’re the ones that feel right in your gut.