In a world where productivity is king and achieving more is on everyone’s minds, setting goals isn’t just important – they are vital. Although long-term goals like “build a successful business”, “pay off my credit card debt” or “grow my YouTube channel” sound inspiring, they can often also feel extremely overwhelming. This is where the majority of people fall flat on achieving their personal goals. But it doesn’t have to be like this.
Another year does not have to pass you by without you achieving your objectives — this is where short-term goals come in. These pint-sized targets help you stay motivated, track measurable results and work towards making your desired outcome a reality.
In this article, we will explore what short-term goals are, their associated benefits, how they differ from long-term goals and how to set them up practically.
What Are Short-Term Goals?
As mentioned above, short-term goals are pint-sized objectives you aim to complete over a short period of time, usually to aid you in achieving bigger, more long-term goals. These short-term objectives are usually achieved in the near future, spanning anywhere from a few days to a few months. They are specifically designed to help you see progress without feeling overwhelmed by the bigger picture. They are specific, actionable and measurable.
Think of short-term goals as stepping stones leading to your biggest dream. Alone one stepping stone seems insignificant, but together they will get you closer to the end result. Just remember progress is progress, no matter how small.
Let’s put it into practice. Say for example a long-term goal for you is to start a blog channel. You can’t just jump in and start posting. This big dream needs to be broken down into smaller goals in order to achieve the big one.
Short-term goals could include first researching how to start a blog, then choosing a niche, brainstorming your first ten posts and ultimately setting up a website. By breaking down this big goal into smaller bite sizes, you make them more manageable and considerably increase the likelihood of success.
The Benefits of Setting Short-Term Goals
A lot of people might wonder why they should even bother with short-term goals. Especially if the short-term goal does not directly support the long-term objective. Well, the truth is the benefits extend far beyond simply checking off a few items on your to-do list. Here is a quick look at four advantages of setting short-term goals:
1. Increased Focus
Short-term goals help to remove the ‘noise’ around you. They help to keep your attention on what task is directly in front of you. Instead of getting lost or overwhelmed by the bigger picture — your long-term goals, they help you zoom in on the immediate steps you need to take. All of this keeps you on track and allows you to reach your goals.
2. Boosted Motivation
Short-term goals have a way of tricking your brain and increasing dopamine release. Nothing feels better than crossing something off of your to-do list and having the satisfaction of knowing you reached your objective. These frequent wins help build momentum and keep you motivated.
3. Prevents Feeling Overwhelmed & Anxious
The truth is a lot of the times we write down long-term objectives without thinking of the steps we need to take in order to get to them. Then after a few months you look at them again and you feel anxious and extremely overwhelmed.
This often leads to people just giving up. However, with short-term goals these big aspirations are broken down into smaller pieces, which makes it feel more manageable and less overwhelming.
4. Increases Self Confidence & Overcomes Procrastination
If we’re being honest, everyone likes to feel like they are winning at something. Finishing and ticking off any item on your to-do list makes you feel like you are accomplishing something worthwhile. This leads to you chasing that ‘high’ and doing it over and over again.
While building the initial habit is not always a quick process, it is a rewarding pursuit. According to James Clear — author of Atomic Habits — it takes 66 days to form a habit. Over time, as this habit becomes automatic, you’ll find yourself naturally tackling your short-term goals and procrastinating less about what you still need to do.
Short-Term Goals vs. Long-Term Goals: How They Work Together
A common misconception is that by focusing on short-term goals, you are neglecting your long-term objectives. However, this is simply not the case. In reality, short-term and long-term goals work in tandem. Long-term objectives usually have a time frame of three to ten years, whereas short-term goals range from a few days to a few months.
The one is supposed to support the other. Think of them as your favorite movie. The leading actor probably would not have been as funny or heroic without his supporting side-kick best friend. That’s how the relationship should be between long and short-term goals.
Long-term objectives represent the ultimate destination, the crème de la crème of life if you will. However, without a map leading you to this destination, you feel lost and overwhelmed.
That’s exactly what short-term goals help to accomplish. Think of them as a road map of sorts leading you to your final destination. In other words, they are the actionable steps that bridge the gap between long-term goals remaining a dream vs. becoming a reality.
How to Set Effective Short-Term Goals
Setting goals sounds really simple, but when it comes to actually putting pen to paper, a lot of people become overwhelmed. This is where effective strategy and planning comes in. Once you know how, it is actually quite simple from there. Here are four ways you can set short-term goals that work:
1. Make Use of SMART Goals
Whether it has to do with your personal development or your professional life, SMART goals are a way to set realistic objectives that keep you focused and motivated throughout the process. For a goal to fall under the SMART umbrella, it needs to adhere to five factors. Here’s a more in-depth look at these components:
- Specific: Be extremely clear about what you want to achieve. Define your meaning of success.
- Measurable: How will you track your progress? Include metrics you’ll use to see how you are progressing in achieving your goals.
- Achievable: Ensure your goals are realistic.
- Relevant: Your goals should align with your priorities and personality.
- Time-Bound: Set a deadline, but also be realistic about your timeline.
Instead of setting a vague goal such as: “I want to become more fit”. Use the SMART method to set measurable goals. For example: “I want to run a 5K within 30 minutes by training three times a week for the next eight weeks.” This way you create a clear framework of what you need to accomplish.
2. Break It Down
Big tasks often feel overwhelming and sometimes just downright scary. Breaking big tasks into smaller more manageable chunks relieves stress and reduces the risk of you getting overwhelmed. One example could be that you want to declutter your entire home. That in itself feels intimidating and when looking at the task ahead it is easy to quickly lose motivation.
Instead, take it one room or even one drawer at a time. Another way to break it down even further is to add a daily reminder to your productivity app to “declutter for 10 minutes”. This way you only have a set amount of time per day to work on it. This daily habit can quickly help you stay on top of your goals.
3. Prioritise Wisely
Not all tasks are equal in weight or importance. Focus on the ones that are crucial or have a deadline associated with them. You could even implement a productivity method or try a coding system where you rate each priority. You usually use the numbers 1, 2 and 3.
When a task is categorised as a 1 it is super important and time sensitive. 2 is usually things that are important and moderately time sensitive. Meaning, if you don’t get to it immediately you still have a bit of wiggle room left. Tasks with a level 3 rating are usually not that important or time sensitive at that specific moment. Remember, task ratings can change as time goes on, just adjust accordingly.
4. Keep Track of Your Goals
Consider using a project management tool like Forzeit to help you manage both long-and short-term goals. You can set your long-term objectives and break them down into daily or weekly tasks (short goals). This will ensure steady progress without losing sight of the ultimate destination.
Overcoming Challenges in Achieving Short-Term Goals
Even the best laid-out plans can fail when obstacles present themselves. Here’s how to beat common challenges if and when they arise:
- Procrastination: Break tasks into smaller steps and create a timeline in which you want to complete them. Stick to your deadlines and use project management apps to set reminders that keep you on course.
- Overwhelm: Trying to do too much leads to increased anxiety and burnout. Limit yourself to only 2 or 3 short-term goals at a time. If possible, single-task, don’t multitask.
- Distractions: Distractions, no matter how big or small, can quickly eat away at available time and energy. Creating a dedicated workspace and setting out specific time for work can help you stay more focused.
Remember, setbacks are normal. Just keep moving forward, even if it’s just one small step at a time. Try to implement the rule of never missing two consecutive days of tracking and working on your short-term goals. One is fine, two become a habit.
Incorporating Short-Term Goals Into Daily/Morning Routines
The best goal is one checked off of a to-do list. Here are three steps you can follow to integrate short-term goals into your daily routine:
- Start Your Day With a Plan: Use a daily/weekly planner, such as Forzeit, to outline and plan your day accordingly. In your planning app, try and prioritise tasks according to the level of importance associated with them. Alternatively, you can also use the number system mentioned earlier.
- Implement Time-Blocking: Putting time aside for each task feels a lot better than trying to cram it in between events in your daily life. Set out dedicated time for each short-term goal to ensure you actually have enough time to get to it.
- Review Your Progress: At the end of each day, take 5-10 minutes to review. Mark off completed tasks and adjust your plan for the next day accordingly.
Tracking & Adjusting Short-Term Goals
Tracking progress is not just about ticking something off a list, it is also extremely motivating. Take time to celebrate your wins, no matter how small.
By continuously tracking your progress you can also adjust your short-term goals as needed. Sometimes you need more time than you thought for a certain task, and other times you progress faster.
Remember, you are in charge of your own goals. If you need more time or if you need to change things up a bit, you can. Just don’t become stagnant and try to always challenge yourself a bit.
Why Short-Term Goals Lead to Long-Term Success
It is true, Rome was not built in a day. Nor can you expect success to happen overnight. If achieving goals (long and short term) were easy, everyone would be doing it left and right. But with the use of short-term goals you can break down intimidating long-term aspirations into smaller measurable stepping stones.
By focusing on what you can achieve over a short period of time, you will build the habits and momentum needed to move you closer to your dreams — whether that is in your professional or personal life. With the right tools and systems in place, success is not only probable but imminent.