What's the difference between projects and goals | Help Center

What's the difference between projects and goals

PRO

wassim 09/16/2016 10:07

Platform:All

This might be a stupid question, and maybe it has nothing to do with Doit.im. For the past few years I've been following GTD and setting up mostly projects for everything.

I would really like to understand when should we create a project, and when should we create a goal. I hope Folke will be around to answer that question from a GTD fundamentals kind of view, but I'd also like to hear from others in the forum how they are using projects and goals as well.

On a side note, I'd also like to hear from Doit.im about the use of Projects and Goals in the system. What kind of technical change does it have and why would we use Goals when Projects can do the same thing.

I'd really like to hear some real life examples from users.

Technically speaking, I know that Goals can hold multiple Projects in Doit.im but I can't come up to realize any use case to do so.

Thanks for your contribution.

Best regards,
Wassim

Linjiani post on 09/17/2016 04:24#1

PRO

@wassim
A project is a multi-step task, composed of a series of related actions.

Any outcome that's going to require more than one item, in some sequence of tasks and projects in order to be able to achieve that outcome, that's a goal. Both tasks and projects can be assigned to a goal. Once added to a goal, tasks will go to Next by default. You can see all tasks/projects included the goal when you unfold it. In addition, you can complete all tasks/projects by completing the goal they belong to.

For example, you may have the goal of painting your living room within 3 months （to be a true Goal you need to set a time limit). A Project has multiple steps. Think of all the things you have to do BEFORE you actually apply paint to your living room walls. Research paint types and choose colors. Buy brushes, tape, and plastic to cover your floor. Prepare the walls by removing old wallpaper, filling any cracks or holes, and smoothing the surface. Move furniture, cover the floor, tape edges. THEN you can actually paint. Then let the paint dry, apply another coat if needed, dry again. Remove the tape and floor coverings, move furniture back into place. Done!

Thanks for your support.

Best regards,
Doit.im
wassim post on 09/17/2016 05:11#2

PRO

@Linjiani Many thanks for this it is highly appreciated.

Now it makes more sense but I think it wqs confusing me because my workflow never requires any goals. I think it all depends on how every person seeks to structure their To Dos and I try to keep my setup simple so this is why I love organizing my tasks into projects but don't need to go crazier than that.

Having said so, I might end up using goals for my personal goals because the term "goal" sound more like something you want to achieve that may not have a specific end (at least to me). For example, I am thinking about putting my exercise tasks and diet plans into goals, this way I can stick but they don't necessary have an ending (like we should stick to a good diet and exercise forever whether we're fit or not).

Anyway that was great we can use it anyone we like and I think this way should be fair to work out for me.

Many thanks Linjiani.

Best regards,
Wassim
Linjiani post on 09/18/2016 06:56#3

PRO

@wassim Really thanks for your continuous support. And if you have any problems with Doit, please feel free to contact us. We are pleased to help you at anytime：）