SETTING GOALS - RECOGNIZING LONG TERM FROM SHORT TERM GOALS

The topic of goal-setting is a very important, though neglected, segment of life. Unfortunately, you will experience it at some point along the way. You are probably wondering why this topic is only just now being discussed here. In almost every other discussion of goal-attainment, this is raised very early. Invariably, it sows confusion in the mind because it suggests that there is some segmentation in the fluidity of the process of achieving your goals. Let me state clearly, there is not nor should there be. Goals are tangible things and events you want to have in your life at specific times. While pursuing your desire in life, there will be items that must be collected, achievements that must be accomplished at specific times in order to proceed along the way to your ultimate desire. These are the items considered short term goals. The advantage is that these items can be selected and a time can be set for their acquisition.

IDENTIFYING SHORT TERM GOALS

  To identify your short term goals, become mindful of your immediate, nagging challenges, ie: challenges you have to overcome in order to progress to the next step of your journey. Whatever hindrances you identify, set your attitude and course to remove them and set a result by which to recognize your progress. When you achieve that result, you would have obtained a short-term goal. It's that simple. A short-term goal does not need to be a tremendous entity. Any hindrance to what you want to really accomplish, becomes a short-term goal. Your short-term goals can be considered the items you must pick up along the route to your ultimate desire. When you recognize these hindrances, it is very useful to write them down. That way you maximize your mindfulness of them as you go along.

WHAT'S A LONG-TERM GOAL?

                                  

Your ultimate desire is definitely a long-term goal, but along the journey, you may decide that you want additional things to compliment that goal. Along with that realization, you have to determine when those additions should be made. These become your long-term goals because they are mainly dependent upon your achieving your primary goal in the first place.. It is vital that you do not deviate from your reason for self-development (primary goal) to chase after these secondary goals. You already know the end result of such activity. That is why it is imperative for you to write down your "why" or reason for your chosen primary goal. In some instances you have to secure some items to achieve your primary goal. Although their acquisition may require extended portions of your time, they may not necessarily be "long-term" goals, in the true meaning of the word. Bear in mind that these are goals you desire to accomplish after you acquire your preliminary desire. It's important to realize that you ultimately determine what is a long-term goal for yourself. It boils down to the amount of current preparation you have accumulated to accomplish the task in question.