Long-Term Versus Short-Term Goals: What You Need to Know (2024)

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Long-Term Versus Short-Term Goals: What You Need to Know (1)


Long-Term Versus Short-Term Goals: What You Need to Know (2)

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Why is goal-setting important?

What are long-term goals?

What are short-term goals?

How are long and short-term goals connected?

Similarities and differences between short and long-term goals

Examples of short and long-term goals

How to set and keep your goals

The road ahead

Everyone wants something out of life — be it adventure, meaning, or prosperity. Some are quick wins you can check off in a matter of weeks. Others require a 5-year plan and significant ongoing effort. Together, these long and short-term goals form the foundation of what you consider your best life.

Regardless of whether they’re personal or professional goals, they don’t achieve themselves. You need a plan to take you where you want to go. To create this roadmap, you must first understand the difference between long-term versus short-term goals.

Use this knowledge to create direction and purpose in your life, even when it throws you a curveball.

Why is goal-setting important?

A 2022 Gallup study found that 70% of Americans claim they’re somewhat or very likely to set goals. Of that number, only 8% actually achieve them. And those that achieve their goals are more likely to have thoroughly planned them out, writing specific details and reminding themselves of these objectives throughout the year.

Intentional goal-setting helps you create your ideal future by offering you the following:

  • Confidence: You become more confident when you picture yourself achieving your objectives. According to a TD Bank survey, 59% of respondents who took the time to visualize their goals felt more optimistic they’d succeed.

    And reaching your goals only further increases your confidence, taking you to new heights.

  • Direction: Effective goal-setting creates a roadmap that guides you toward success. Goals set your trajectory so you can identify milestones and deal with detours.

What are long-term goals?

Long-term goals shape your future. You’ll typically take more than a year to complete these goals, but there’s no strict guideline for what you consider long versus short-term. The important part is that they’re the accumulation of lots of hard work and patience. These goals also typically require a thorough action plan.

Because of the longer time-frame, long-term goals should be adaptable. You never know what could happen in your life, so recognize that you might need to adjust your roadmap or tweak your long-term goals.

And your priorities might shift altogether — what you wanted at 15 likely isn’t what you want now. Welcome change and prepare to discard irrelevant long-term targets occasionally.

What are short-term goals?

Short-term goals make up your life’s to-do list. You achieve them typically on a day-to-day or monthly basis, and they can be anything from learning a new skill to shaving a few minutes off your 5K running pace.

Because you accomplish these quickly, short-term goals are excellent at delivering a sense of accomplishment and boosting your motivation. The satisfaction of checking something off your list can propel you forward and provide a quick jolt of dopamine, a happy hormone that boosts your mood.

How are long and short-term goals connected?

Taking on challenging, long-term targets is stressful and often overwhelming. Starting your own business or returning to school are daunting undertakings. But you can use less-daunting short-term goals to slowly move toward your scarier objectives.

You might develop the marketing strategy for your new business over the next few weeks or give yourself six months to complete grad-school prerequisites.

These goals are well within your capabilities. And by taking your eyes off the big — scary — picture and focusing on one simple step, you remove some anxiety from the process.

Long-Term Versus Short-Term Goals: What You Need to Know (3)

Similarities and differences between short and long-term goals

Staying motivated as you create a fulfilling life depends on having the right mix of short and long-term goals. Learning to distinguish one from the other is essential.

Here are some key similarities and differences between these two types of goals.

Similarities

1. They should be SMART goals

No matter the type, your objectives should follow the SMART goal template: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. Here are some examples:

Short-term goal

Long-term goal

Specific

Start running

Save for a down payment on a house

Measurable

Sign up for a 5K race

Save $50,000 for a down payment on a house

Attainable

Train three times a week

Place 10% of weekly earnings into a high-interest savings account

Realistic

Make sure you’re injury-free before starting

Create a budget to accommodate diverting funds into savings

Timely

Run the race in six months

Buy the house in eight years

2. They offer a sense of direction

Long-term goals show you the finish line and short-term goals show you the step-by-step process for getting there. And when short-term targets aren’t connected to far-away objectives, these quick goals offer you daily, weekly, and monthly guidance.

3. They depend on each other

Long and short-term goals are interdependent. Most often, short-term goals are milestones for long-term plans. You need them to see how far you’ve come.

Long-Term Versus Short-Term Goals: What You Need to Know (4)

Differences

1. You determine them differently

To plan short-term goals, you typically only need to consider a couple factors. And you have more control over the outcome since there’s less time for roadblocks and personal changes. Jotting down a quick to-do list is usually all the strategizing you need.

Long-term goals require more thorough research and consideration. You might need to account for family obligations, financial resources, and physical health — among other things — when planning these objectives.

2. They challenge you differently

Because of their nature — fast, uncomplicated, don’t require an extended commitment — short-term goals are often easier to achieve than their counterparts. Use them when you want to quickly build motivation and feel accomplished. They might be stepping stones for long-term goals, meaning achieving these goals sets you up for future success.

Long-term targets are often more complex and lofty, and thus more challenging. Even planning can be difficult as you determine the best way to meet your far-off goals.

3. Short-term goals are more flexible

You might find shifting gears on a short-term objective difficult. There’s less flexibility because you only have a small amount of time. Long-term targets are more adaptable, offering many opportunities to accommodate surprises and adjust priorities.

4. You execute short-term goals more quickly

Your ability to achieve a short-term goal depends on your current situation, like whether you have the time and resources right now to complete it. If you hope to finish a beginner’s Spanish course, you might find this difficult while caring for a newborn or working full-time.

Reaching a long-term objective depends on how well you structure interim goals. If you’ve done this correctly, accomplishing each step moves you closer to your ultimate goal.

5. You’ll likely have more short-term goals

You can fill your days, weeks, and months with short-term goals you quickly check off your list. But because long-term goals are loftier and farther away, you’ll likely only have a few of them.

This is also helpful since you never know where life will take you. It’s better to set a couple long-term goals you can adjust if necessary than commit to a dozen of them when it’s likely you won’t want all those things later on.

Long-Term Versus Short-Term Goals: What You Need to Know (5)

Examples of short and long-term goals

You can create targets around every area of your life — be it financial goals, business goals, or objectives that help you pursue your dream career path. They can be personal, too, like cultivating deeper relationships or learning a new language.

So many goals, so little time. Here are a few examples of short and long-term targets to get you started.

Short-term personal goals:

  • Start exercising three times a week
  • Have coffee with one person a week
  • Organize a neighborhood BBQ
  • Reconnect with old friends

Short-term professional goals:

  • Find a mentor
  • Take a certification course every three months to complete the project management professional (PMP) curriculum
  • Complete requisite training hours

Short-term team goals:

  • Set objectives and key results (OKRs) for sales
  • Conduct A/B testing on new marketing campaigns
  • Establish social media metrics
  • User-test our mobile app

Long-term personal goals:

  • Expand network of friends
  • Run a full marathon

Long-term professional goals:

  • Earn PMP certification
  • Gain five years’ experience in my industry

Long-term team goals:

  • Complete all items on our 5-year strategic plan
  • Promote three team members within the next two years

Long-Term Versus Short-Term Goals: What You Need to Know (6)

How to set and keep your goals

Whether setting a long-term goal or making a list of quick wins, here are some tips for defining effective goals:

  • Start at the end: Picture yourself completing your target. What was the final step that took you over the finish line? And the step before that? Work backward until you reach your starting point. Now, you have a complete plan of action.
  • Think long-term: When building your life plan, look at the big picture. Establish your first significant milestone six months to a year from now. Then five years. Then plan ten years into the future. Once you have that framework, mark short-term targets on a timeline that directs you toward your desired end goal.
  • Regularly review progress: Periodic check-ins with yourself and with an accountability partner can significantly improve your chance of success. Continually assess your progress, review short-term achievements, and motivate yourself to continue.
  • Prioritize: Evaluate your short-term goals daily, prioritizing tasks to help you reach them.
  • Adapt: Life is unpredictable, and change is inevitable. Stay mentally flexible to adjust your goals and tackle unforeseen roadblocks.

The road ahead

Sure, you’ll need to work hard to achieve most goals. But understanding the differences between long-term versus short-term goals means you can leverage both to plan accordingly and rack up wins.

Don’t consider this solo work — there’s always a friend, family member, or coworker who’s reaching for the same target, and you can lend each other a hand, or at least some insight.

And if you’re still feeling uncertain about the road ahead, consider working with a BetterUp life coach. Having someone to support you and keep you motivated makes all the difference.

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Published August 14, 2023

Long-Term Versus Short-Term Goals: What You Need to Know (2024)

FAQs

Long-Term Versus Short-Term Goals: What You Need to Know? ›

Short-term goals are likely measured by weeks, months, or quarters. Long-term goals can be measured by years and may have an undefined timeline. It is much easier to achieve short-term goals because you can easily see progress.

What are the differences between short-term and long-term goals? ›

Typically, short-term goals are defined as accomplishments that take 3 months to a few years. Long-term goals are usually completed in 3 to 5 years, or longer. This is not a set practice, simply a common guideline that makes sense when laying out your plans.

Why is it important to identify short and long-term goals? ›

Short-term goals help you stay motivated and focused because you can see results more quickly. Long-term goals may feel far away in the future, making it harder to stay motivated while working on them. They give you direction, purpose, and a roadmap for your future success.

Why is it important to list and prioritize your short, mid, and long-term goals ahead of time? ›

Why is it important to list and prioritize your short, mid, and long-term goals ahead of time? Listing and prioritizing goals provides clarity and direction. It helps in identifying what's most important at different stages of life or career.

What are your short and long-term goals What are your short and long-term goals? ›

Short-term goals might include completing a project by a deadline, learning a new skill, or improving time management. Long-term goals could involve career advancement, financial stability, or personal development such as pursuing higher education or starting a business.

What are the key differences between short term and long term planning? ›

The most distinct difference between long-term and short-term planning is the time frame. Long-term planning looks at a three to five-year period or even longer; short-term planning covers up to a year. This profoundly impacts the goals, KPIs, and projects an organization will choose during each process.

What are the factors to consider when setting personal goals? ›

First consider what you want to achieve, and then commit to it. Set SMART (specific, measureable, attainable, relevant and time-bound) goals that motivate you and write them down to make them feel tangible. Then plan the steps you must take to realize your goal, and cross off each one as you work through them.

What are two qualities that can help to achieve goals? ›

Be positive, persistent yet patient, have resilience and always be adaptable. What are your big goals that you want to achieve? Believe in yourself. You can do this!

Why is it important to focus on long term goals? ›

Setting long-term goals helps turn your daydreams into concrete objectives that you can work towards with intention. Aside from helping you achieve difficult things, they're also a useful tool to prioritize your work and decide what success looks like for you.

What are the characteristics of long term and short term goals? ›

Long-term goals provide direction and purpose over an extended period, typically requiring meticulous planning and reflecting on personal values, while short-term goals serve as immediate steps toward achieving long-term goals, offering quick feedback and fostering productivity and skill enhancement through actionable ...

How do you prioritize short term and long term goals? ›

These goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Ensure long-term goals are ambitious and inspiring while short-term goals are actionable and contribute to the overall vision. Allocate resources strategically, considering both immediate needs and long-term investments.

What do you think is more important short term or long term goals? ›

Longer-term goals are a test of your motivation and perseverance, and you'll often face major obstacles on the way. On the other hand, short-term goals need strategies that have more to do with your current performance. You'll base your strategy primarily on how close you are to realizing your ultimate goal.

Why is it important to have both short term and long term goals to maintain motivation? ›

Ultimately, the combination of short-term and long-term goals ensures a balanced approach to personal and professional growth, allowing for adaptability, motivation, and sustained progress.

How to explain weakness in an interview? ›

Talk about Self-Improvement. The most important thing about discussing your weaknesses is showing the interviewer what you're doing to improve, and actions speak louder than words. So, when you mention your weakness, immediately follow up with the steps you're taking to address it.

What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? ›

Your strengths and weaknesses should reflect the requirements of the role. Ensure that you highlight your skills that are listed in the job description, and explain how you will gain or improve critical skills that you lack. In general, your strengths should be skills that can be supported through experience.

What is the difference between long term and short term? ›

Goals that can happen quickly are called short-term goals. Goals that take a long time to achieve are called long-term goals. Find out more about them. A short-term goal is something you want to do in the near future.

What is the difference between short term and long term financial goals? ›

Key takeaways. Short-term goals are within a five-year window, while long-term goals are at least five years out. CDs, money market accounts, and traditional savings accounts are best served for short-term goals. Investing is generally reserved for long-term goals so there's time to withstand performance fluctuations.

What is the difference between a short term goal and a long term goal quizlet? ›

What's the difference between short-term and long-term goals? Short term goals have urgency because they are accomplished in a short amount of time. Long term goals requires determination and patience these usually take more than a semester.

What is the difference between short term and long term goals for kids? ›

A short term goal is a goal that only takes a few days or weeks to achieve, for example, to complete daily homework assignments or to spend more time on daily homework assignments and complete better quality work. A long term goal takes several weeks, months, or even a full school semester of year, to achieve.

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