--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But not every goal is the same. “We found…" description: "\"“But not every goal is the same. “We found that if you want the largest increase in motivation and productivity,” says Latham, “then big goals lead to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2c/peter-h-diamandis-15312_goals_but-not-every-goal-is-the-same-we-found_1697372.jpg" --- # But not every goal is the same. “We found that if you want… ![“But not every goal is the same. “We found that if you want the largest increase in motivation and productivity,” says Latham, “then big goals lead to the best outcomes. Big goals significantly outperform small goals, medium-sized goals, and vague goals. It comes down to attention and…” quote by Peter H. Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2c/peter-h-diamandis-15312_goals_but-not-every-goal-is-the-same-we-found_1697372.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2c/peter-h-diamandis-15312_goals_but-not-every-goal-is-the-same-we-found_1697372.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2c/peter-h-diamandis-15312_goals_but-not-every-goal-is-the-same-we-found_1697372.jpg) > ““But not every goal is the same. “We found that if you want the largest increase in motivation and productivity,” says Latham, “then big goals lead to the best outcomes. Big goals significantly outperform small goals, medium-sized goals, and vague goals. It comes down to attention and persistence—which are two of the most important factors in determining performance. Big goals help focus attention, and they make us more persistent. The result is we’re much more effective when we work, and much more willing to get up and try again when we fail.”” [Peter H. Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-diamandis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Large, specific goals sharpen focus and boost persistence, leading to higher motivation and productivity than smaller or vague targets. **In simple terms:** Big goals increase focus and persistence. Key Takeaway Set ambitious, clear targets. Themes motivation productivity goal‑setting Mood inspirational practical Type motivational strategic When to use this quote - project planning - career development - fitness training - academic research Key Concepts psychology performance management Questions to Reflect On - What big goal excites you? - How will you sustain effort? A Different Perspective Overly large goals can cause overwhelm or burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Big Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-goals/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Goals Significantly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals-significantly-1115829/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Motivation Productivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation-productivity-1115828/) [Performance Big](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performance-big-1115830/) [Productivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/productivity/) [Sized Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sized-goals-1115831/) [Small goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/small-goals/) ## Related quotes > [Instead of focusing on big goals,focus on small goals.Small victories always lead to large ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekanand/instead-of-focusing-on-big-goals-focus-on-small-goals-small-victories/) [Swami Vivekanand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekanand/) > [It's interesting how some songs really lend themselves to performance in a big public venue and performance by a band and so on, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/it-s-interesting-how-some-songs-really-lend-themselves-to-performance/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) > [I am known by my performance, so neither do big films need me nor do I big films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manoj-bajpayee/i-am-known-by-my-performance-so-neither-do-big-films-need-me-nor-do-i/) [Manoj Bajpayee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manoj-bajpayee/) > [“Yet for these high, hard goals to really work their magic, Locke and Latham found that certain moderators—the word psychologists use to describe “if-then”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-diamandis/yet-for-these-high-hard-goals-to-really-work-their-magic-locke-and/) [Peter H. Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-diamandis/) > [If you can somehow think and dream of success in small steps, every time you make a step, every time you accomplish a small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-h-johnson/if-you-can-somehow-think-and-dream-of-success-in-small-steps-every/) [John H. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-h-johnson/) > [I'm taking it one step at a time and just achieving small goals will hopefully one day make me a 90-minute player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-morgan/i-m-taking-it-one-step-at-a-time-and-just-achieving-small-goals-will/) [Alex Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-morgan/) > [“Give yourself small goals to achieve on a daily basis. Make small changes in your life that would make you more productive, and make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avijeet-das/give-yourself-small-goals-to-achieve-on-a-daily-basis-make-small/) [Avijeet Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avijeet-das/) > [“Know where you wanna go. Then get there. Start with small goals and they'll build your foundation for the bigger ones.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/know-where-you-wanna-go-then-get-there-start-with-small-goals-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“But I envy the Commander's Wife her knitting. It's good to have small goals that can be easily attained.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/but-i-envy-the-commander-s-wife-her-knitting-it-s-good-to-have-small/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [Emphasize small goals when you have a team that isn’t going to win a lot of games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-dunlap/emphasize-small-goals-when-you-have-a-team-that-isn-t-going-to-win-a/) [Mike Dunlap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-dunlap/) > [Ive really just tried to stay positive throughout the whole experience and any minutes at all, or even being on a roster, is an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-morgan/ive-really-just-tried-to-stay-positive-throughout-the-whole/) [Alex Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-morgan/) > [Exercise to stimulate, not to annihilate. The world wasn't formed in a day, and neither were we. Set small goals and build upon them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-haney/exercise-to-stimulate-not-to-annihilate-the-world-wasn-t-formed-in-a/) [Lee Haney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-haney/) > [It's extremely tough, going day-to-day, not knowing really what you're working for, but for me, I just learned how to set small goals for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-hood/it-s-extremely-tough-going-day-to-day-not-knowing-really-what-you-re/) [Rodney Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-hood/) > [Set small goals for yourself and meet them. You are responsible to take care of yourself. You should be your priority!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/set-small-goals-for-yourself-and-meet-them-you-are-responsible-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You have your goals. They may be small goals or they may be large goals. As you strive to achieve your goals, sometimes your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-charest/you-have-your-goals-they-may-be-small-goals-or-they-may-be-large/) [Jean Charest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-charest/) ## More by Peter H. Diamandis > [“And this is one of the first things one learns from Musk’s example—he is relentless in his pursuit of the bold and, the bigger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-diamandis/and-this-is-one-of-the-first-things-one-learns-from-musk-s-example-he/) [Peter H. Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-diamandis/) > [“sixty-seven years.14 Not anymore. Today the final three Ds in our chain reaction can disassemble companies and disrupt industries almost overnight, reducing the average…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-diamandis/sixty-seven-years-14-not-anymore-today-the-final-three-ds-in-our/) [Peter H. Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-diamandis/) > [“Each of us starts with the same twenty-four hours in the day. How we utilize those hours determines the quality of our lives.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-diamandis/each-of-us-starts-with-the-same-twenty-four-hours-in-the-day-how-we/) [Peter H. Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-diamandis/) > [“one child in front of a computer learns little; four discussing and debating learn a lot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-diamandis/one-child-in-front-of-a-computer-learns-little-four-discussing-and/) [Peter H. Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-diamandis/) > [“This difference is key. Thinking in probabilities—this business has a 60 percent chance of success—rather than deterministically—if I do A and B, then C…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-diamandis/this-difference-is-key-thinking-in-probabilities-this-business-has-a/) [Peter H. Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-diamandis/) > [“2010 The Rational Optimist,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-diamandis/2010-the-rational-optimist/) [Peter H. Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-diamandis/) > [“Six thousand years ago, we domesticated the horse; a”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-diamandis/six-thousand-years-ago-we-domesticated-the-horse-a/) [Peter H. Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-diamandis/) > [“Abundance is not about providing everyone on this planet with a life of luxury—rather it’s about providing all with a life of possibility.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-diamandis/abundance-is-not-about-providing-everyone-on-this-planet-with-a-life/) [Peter H. Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-diamandis/) > [“Decentralized means learning cannot easily be curtailed by autocratic governments and is considerably more immune to socioeconomic upheaval.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-diamandis/decentralized-means-learning-cannot-easily-be-curtailed-by-autocratic/) [Peter H. Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-diamandis/) > [“Teaching kids how to nourish their creativity and curiosity, while still providing a sound foundation in critical thinking, literacy and math, is the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-diamandis/teaching-kids-how-to-nourish-their-creativity-and-curiosity-while/) [Peter H. Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-diamandis/) > [“the value of the ecosystems services our environment now provides (for free) has been calculated at $36 trillion a year—a figure roughly equal to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-diamandis/the-value-of-the-ecosystems-services-our-environment-now-provides-for/) [Peter H. Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-diamandis/) > [“Tony Hseih, CEO of Zappos, helped disrupt the retail space by emphasizing mastery, making the “pursuit of growth and learning” central to his corporate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-diamandis/tony-hseih-ceo-of-zappos-helped-disrupt-the-retail-space-by/) [Peter H. Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-diamandis/) > [“Human beings are designed to be local optimists and global pessimists.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-diamandis/human-beings-are-designed-to-be-local-optimists-and-global-pessimists/) [Peter H. Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-diamandis/) > [“of these are services we can yet provide for ourselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-diamandis/of-these-are-services-we-can-yet-provide-for-ourselves/) [Peter H. Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-diamandis/) > [“Currently the majority of the world’s seven thousand desalination plants rely on thermal desalination (often called “multistage flash”) or reverse osmosis. The former means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-diamandis/currently-the-majority-of-the-world-s-seven-thousand-desalination/) [Peter H. Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-diamandis/) [Explore all 43 Peter H. Diamandis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-diamandis/) ## More Goals quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Before I debuted, it was my goal to make my debut, and afterwards, I aimed at winning champion titles on television music shows, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyuna/before-i-debuted-it-was-my-goal-to-make-my-debut-and-afterwards-i/) [Hyuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyuna/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [“So Jace is my actual family," Kit said. "But I can't go live with him, because him and his hot girlfriend are going off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/so-jace-is-my-actual-family-kit-said-but-i-can-t-go-live-with-him/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [The goal of spiritual practice is full recovery, and the only thing you need to recover from is a fractured sense of self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/the-goal-of-spiritual-practice-is-full-recovery-and-the-only-thing/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Every drop of rain hits its appointed target.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/every-drop-of-rain-hits-its-appointed-target/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [“Achieving mental harmony is one of the greatest goals and experiences in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kambiz-mostofizadeh/achieving-mental-harmony-is-one-of-the-greatest-goals-and-experiences/) [Kambiz Mostofizadeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kambiz-mostofizadeh/) > [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Too many times we flitter our energy into too many goals and in the process don't achieve much. Focus is very important in life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaishali-kasture/too-many-times-we-flitter-our-energy-into-too-many-goals-and-in-the/) [Vaishali Kasture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaishali-kasture/) > [Plainly, the environment must be a living one, directed by a higher intelligence, arranged by an adult who is prepared for his mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/plainly-the-environment-must-be-a-living-one-directed-by-a-higher/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [According to the best research, less than 3% of Americans have written goals, and less than 1% review and rewrite their goals on a daily basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/according-to-the-best-research-less-than-3-of-americans-have-written/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“What shapes us is not always our achievements but our omissions. Not lies; simply the truths we don’t tell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-tudor/what-shapes-us-is-not-always-our-achievements-but-our-omissions-not/) [C.J. Tudor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-tudor/) [Browse all 21,276 Goals quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“But not every goal is the same. “We found that if you want the largest increase in motivation and productivity,” says Latham, “then big goals lead to the best outcomes. Big goals significantly outperform small goals, medium-sized goals, and vague goals. 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