At the beginning of each year, the blogosphere gets a tsunami of resources and opinions about setting long-term goals and New Year’s resolutions. Just as important, however, are the stepping stones that help us reach those goals—our short-term objectives. Here are a few things to keep in mind when setting your short-term goals:
Be specific. If setting generic long-term goals is frustrating, setting generic short-term goals can be devastating. Your short-term goals should have a laser beam focus. The more specific it is, the more likely you are to accomplish it.
Connect it to your long-term goals. Start with your long-term goals. Decide what micro-steps should be taken to accomplish this goal.
Keep it within a 90 day timeframe. While keeping your larger goals in focus, create your short-term goals as stepping stones to reach your ultimate destination. What can you do in the next six weeks to accomplish your goals?
Make it measurable. Immeasurable goals can easily be sidelined. Goals that are measureable have tangible steps that can be taken to accomplish them.
Be accountable. It’s a fundamental concept of Christianity—we’re made for each other. Private goals will fizzle out as you become distracted or complacent. Having someone to check-in with you halfway through and at the end of your short-term goals will greatly increase the likelihood of you accomplishing that goal.
Understand your potential and recognize your limits. Challenge yourself, but make your goals realistic. If you’re not being stretched, the goal isn’t ambitious enough. If you can’t map out an easy pathway to accomplish your goals, you may be a little too ambitious!
Mark Forrester 