The Power of Short Term Goals in Achieving Long Term Success
Did you know the secret to long term success is short term goal setting? Whether you are an advocate or skeptical about its benefits, goal setting is a powerful technique for reverse engineering your big aspirations into actionable steps. Short term goal setting plays a pivotal role by breaking down larger objectives into manageable tasks on a monthly, weekly, or even daily basis. How do short term goals pave the way for accomplishing long term success?
Focus and Motivation
Setting short term goals helps channel your efforts effectively. Long term goals can feel daunting and often get pushed to the side when the due date for a long term goal is too far away. Reducing tasks to the ridiculous, as I like to say, makes the tasks more actionable, keeps you motivated, and allows you to stay on track to actually achieve your goals.
Sense of Achievement
You may have heard to celebrate all your wins, even the little wins. Completing small tasks regularly are the wins you can celebrate. Short term goals allow you to celebrate your progress, continuing to keep you motivated, and feeling accomplished.
Progress Tracking
Short term goals provide a way to track your progress. Tracking boosts motivation and keeps you aligned with your long term objectives. Tracking your progress can alert you if adjustments need to be made in order to reach your goals on time.
Overcoming Challenges
Working with short term goals can also reveal challenges and setbacks sooner rather than later, allowing you to address them more quickly. This part of the process enhances your chances of success.
Flexibility
Life in general can be very unpredictable. Therefore, flexibility is a must in all areas of life, especially when it comes to actually reaching the goals you have set for yourself. Setting short term goals offers the flexibility needed no matter what life throws at you. This ability to adapt your activity will help you stay focused and continue to move you toward your long term goals.
Tips for Setting Short Term Goals
Define Long Term Goals: Start by clarifying your long term aspirations 3 years, 5 years, and 7 years. It is recommended that these long term goals include goals for your career, personal growth, and finances.
Break Goals Down: “Reduce the tasks to the ridiculous.” Break down each piece of your long term goals into manageable tasks. Break the tasks all the way down to what will be completed yearly, monthly, weekly, and even daily.
Specific and Measurable: Break down each piece of your long term goals into short term goals. Ensuring to make each piece very specific and measurable. Knowing the tasks you will be doing down to the smallest details makes it easier to achieve and keep the timeline.
Create a Plan: Develop a structured plan to work on your short term goals, including the timeline for completion. To include a weekly calendar with the time blocks to complete the tasks. Get support from a coach or an accountability group. Our Accountability Champions program provides the structure, support, and accountability to help reach your goals and create your ideal future.
Stay Adaptable: Embrace flexibility. Learn to adjust as opposed to giving up or not doing a task. A motto I like to use is, “If you erase, you must replace.” If you are unable to complete something, for whatever reason, always put it back on the calendar to complete at a different time. Being flexible and adaptable can help you stay on course despite challenges or unexpected shifts.
Achieving long term success happens daily through strategic short term goal setting. By adopting these tips, maintaining focus, tracking progress, and overcoming hurdles, you can reach your goals and create your ideal future.
Are you ready to achieve your goals? Sign up for the upcoming session of Accountability Champions!
