--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you don't set your goals based upon…" description: "\"If you don't set your goals based upon your Mission Statement, you may be climbing the ladder of success only to realize, when you get to the top, you'..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57c/stephen-covey-339_building_if-you-don-t-set-your-goals-based-upon-y_1575826.jpg" --- # If you don't set your goals based upon your Mission… ![“If you don't set your goals based upon your Mission Statement, you may be climbing the ladder of success only to realize, when you get to the top, you're on the WRONG building.” quote by Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57c/stephen-covey-339_building_if-you-don-t-set-your-goals-based-upon-y_1575826.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57c/stephen-covey-339_building_if-you-don-t-set-your-goals-based-upon-y_1575826.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57c/stephen-covey-339_building_if-you-don-t-set-your-goals-based-upon-y_1575826.jpg) > “If you don't set your goals based upon your Mission Statement, you may be climbing the ladder of success only to realize, when you get to the top, you're on the WRONG building.” [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Goals misaligned with mission lead to success on the wrong path, wasting effort. **In simple terms:** Wrong goals waste effort. Key Takeaway Align goals with mission statement. Themes alignment mission goal‑setting Mood pragmatic serious Type strategic motivational When to use this quote - business strategy - personal development - project management Key Concepts strategic planning values‑based leadership Questions to Reflect On - How to ensure goals reflect core mission? - What checks prevent misaligned ambition? A Different Perspective Mission statements can be vague. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Climbing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climbing/) [Climbing the ladder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climbing-the-ladder/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Ladder of success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ladder-of-success/) [Mission statement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mission-statement/) [Missions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missions/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) ## Related quotes > [Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/management-is-efficiency-in-climbing-the-ladder-of-success/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [It's incredibly easy to get caught up in an activity trap, in the busy-ness of life, to work harder and harder at climbing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/it-s-incredibly-easy-to-get-caught-up-in-an-activity-trap-in-the-busy/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/management-is-efficiency-in-climbing-the-ladder-of-success-leadership/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [It is possible to be busy-very busy-without being very effective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/it-is-possible-to-be-busy-very-busy-without-being-very-effective/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [“If you find yourself climbing the ladder of success, be careful or else on your way up you might pass Jesus on his way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-claiborne/if-you-find-yourself-climbing-the-ladder-of-success-be-careful-or/) [Shane Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-claiborne/) > [“In regards to climbing the ladder of success, there is a better future, with a greater purpose. 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Peter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-j-peter/) > [“Don't be too busy climbing the ladder of success and forget your most cherished relationships (friends, family, spouse, etc). 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Self-mastery and self-discipline are the foundation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-t-have-the-fruits-without-the-roots-it-s-the-principle-of/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Empathic listening takes time, but it doesn't take anywhere near as much time as it takes to back up and correct misunderstandings when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/empathic-listening-takes-time-but-it-doesn-t-take-anywhere-near-as/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [The fire inside people is like a match; the way to ignite that flame is initially through friction, then other matches are lit through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/the-fire-inside-people-is-like-a-match-the-way-to-ignite-that-flame/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [In a very real sense, there are only two roles in organisations: customers and suppliers. 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True effectiveness requires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/many-people-seem-to-think-that-success-in-one-area-can-compensate-for/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Explore all 663 Stephen Covey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) ## More Building quotes > [You, of Canada, are building a magnificent record of achievement. My country rejoices in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/you-of-canada-are-building-a-magnificent-record-of-achievement-my/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [One of the things the United States does well is building coalitions. 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