HOW TO ACHIEVE SHORT TERM GOALS
Achieving any goal is difficult, but what is more difficult is to live knowing that you have not accomplished a goal. For that reason, you can implement strategies to move, even if it is slowly, and get to the place that you want to reach.
Say for example you want to lose weight or be more active. You can achieve this goal by being specific in what you are trying to accomplish. A long-term goal of losing 50 pounds seems to be a daunting task, yet if you structure your goal to lose a few pounds a week, say 2 pounds a week, you will feel more empowered to achieve that.
Another way to reach your short-term goals is by focusing on the goal completely. Yes, everyone has responsibilities and yes, our world is a world where time is practically nonexistent due to all of our other responsibilities and duties. Yet, finding those 15-30 minutes to work on yourself is invaluable because you are giving yourself the respect that you deserve by spending time doing the things that will bring you the most joy – reaching your goals.
Think of the process as “making appointments in your work place” – Would you be late to a meeting with your boss? – Of course not! Therefore, treat the goals with the same respect that you would treat other objectives.
Of course, the SMART Goal strategy allows you to have a definite plan, a step-by-step approach where you are able to plan out what you are going to do and the reasons why you will be setting those goals. That allows you to achieve goals – long-term or short-term goals.
SHORT TERM GOALS TIPS
Generally speaking, a short-term goal is a goal that takes less than a year to reach. Keeping this in mind allows you to draft goals within that time frame as those goals will be easier to achieve than a goal that is planned for 2 – 3 years or even longer.
Keeping this in mind, consider improving your short-term goals with these tips:
- Plan your goals with as many check-ups. For example, if your goal is to get a 3.0 GPA this semester, then plan weekly goals to track how your grades are going or ask the teacher to give you a progress report in the middle of the semester. These types of check-ups allows you to adjust your planning process.
- Make your short-term goals a stepping-stone to a long-term goal: For example, if your goal is to renovate your house, then you might want to start with painting your room. Focus on the short-term goal of painting your room and know that there are other goals that will follow after you have completed the first task, so that your ultimate goal is achieved.
Keep in mind that you do not always have to plan short-term goals for long-term goals, but it helps to break goals down into achievable actions. - Make your short-term goals the most important: Making your short-term goals a priority in your life is a great way to avoid procrastination. You always want to make sure to avoid putting things off. If you have a short-term goal, then make it a priority and the most desired outcome of what you want to accomplish in the next few days, weeks or months.
This tactic allows you to focus and really understand that the priority you are giving to your goal is because you really want to accomplish that goal. Within yourself, you have inside motivations. Find a way to acknowledge those motivations and use those motivations to drive you forward.
Finally, have the confidence and desire to make things happen. You are special and unique and nobody can stop you on your goal-setting journey.