Concentrating on that plan makes it possible that we'll miss opportunities laying right beside us. A goals program leads to inflexibility when a goal takes on a life of its own, as HAL 9000 did. A good goal builds commitment to achieving its result. The danger is in committing to the goal regardless of circumstances. Sunk costs or time invested impair our ability to impartially assess the value of the goal versus other possible goals.
Goal setting is a very powerful tool, but it still is only a tool.
Don't make more of it than it is. I am master of my goals. They serve me. I am free at any time to change my goals to reflect what I currently think is best for me or my business. Give employees the freedom, within appropriate limits, to look to the left and to the right.