I like to separate goal setting into two distinct categories; long-term and short-term.
Long term goals are things that you eventually want to achieve. These are things in the future that you’re working toward. They may not be attainable right away, but they’re something positive to focus on achieving. These are works-in-progress.
Some examples are:
- Buying a house or car
- Traveling to another country
- Learning how to ski
Examples of short-term goals are things like:
- Learning a new software program or language
- Improving your writing skills
- Learning how to cook a special dish
These are goals that are not necessarily easier, but ones that you can get to quicker.
Goals keeps us focused, and they help us to set milestones to reach throughout life. Without goals, we tend to become stagnant, and cease to learn. Many people I’ve worked with throughout the years have revealed to me during trainings some of the things they want to achieve. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by people’s interests beyond what they’re doing now.
Goals should be SMART:
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Time Bound
Choose your goals based on personal preference and not out of a need to satisfy someone else’s agenda. After all, your goals are directly linked to your career, your professional development, and your life. It also helps to talk over your goals with a mentor, or someone close to you. Talking about your goals helps you to realize them, so rather than them being just a dream, they become tangible.
