Katharina Buczek
Afterward, you will finally be ready to set some short-term and long-term goals. Of course, the long-term goals are the most exciting. They obviously offer the most change and represent everything that you want.
But quite frankly, all of your short-term goals are the most important. Think of them as stepping stones that, one after another, will eventually lead you to your big aspirations.
That’s why you have to seriously think about your short-term goals and ensure that they are specific, measurable, and achievable. If not, unrealistic goals can leave you feeling disappointed, frustrated, and like you failed before you even started.
So, be honest with yourself about what you can really achieve, and take your short-term goals one step at a time. That’s not to say your goals won’t be challenging. But they should still be attainable.
For instance, if your goal is to write a novel, your first short-term goal might be to write 10 pages a day or a set amount of words per week. Then, once you consistently complete this habit and near the end of your book, your next short-term goal may be to edit 10 pages a day.
After that, you might move on to “bigger” short-term goals– such as searching for a publisher or starting to promote your book on social media.
The point is that you cannot rush from point A to point B. Instead, you have to stay the course and check tiny goals off like a to-do list.
This “to-do” list is essentially your plan of action– allowing you to break down your goals into bite-sized, more manageable tasks. To get a better sense of your short-term goal flow, you can create a visual timeline and write down everything you need to do– in chronological order– to reach your long-term vision.
Some people might prefer to do this in a notebook, while others may enjoy putting sticky notes up on their walls as motivation.
Whatever method you choose, these visual guides will help you stay motivated and committed even in the face of adversity. And after you complete your first couple of short-term goals, the sense of fulfillment and confidence you’ll feel will be priceless.
Along the way, it’s important to remember that your goals and aspirations may change over time– just as we change as humans every day. So, as you grow and evolve as a person, it is totally okay for your interests and priorities to shift.
