A goal is the object of a person's ambition or effort or an aim or desired result.  Goal setting however is a motivation technique that is used to achieve a goal.  

Smart goals can tease out the specific details of the goal such as deadlines and the actions you need to take to achieve the goal. However in order to achieve the goal, effort needs to be exerted, things can get in the way, delays can happen.  This podcast looks at succeeding with a goal and what it is like on the journey.