“I will run 5 miles today.” ”I will complete two chapters of the current book I’m reading this week.” ”I will avoid soda and chocolate today.” ”I will find a way to save an extra $100 in the next 3 weeks.”
You either meet short-term goals, or you don’t.
If not, they are attainable again tomorrow. As Michael Hyatt stated in a recent podcast, “Failure is never final unless you quit.” John Maxwell describes it as “Failing Forward.” It’s easier to dust yourself off and start over again with a short term goal than it is for bigger ones. Either way, don’t give up.
Long term goals are harder to stick to, because you don’t see the finish line until you’re in the homestretch. Shorter sprints are easier to attain.
So, break your long-term goals into manageable short-term goals. Using the opening examples above, let’s translate them into small parts of bigger, long-term successes:
“I will run a half marathon by March 2013.” “I will read 10 books in 2012.” ”I will lose 15 pounds by July.” ”I will save $1000 in two months.”
Breaking them down into smaller pieces helps you through your achievements. Don’t look at $10,000 in credit card bills and wonder how you’re going to manage it all. Just look at the smallest debt, and put your target on it. And don’t stop. Don’t give up. Don’t quit until it’s out of your life. Then do it again with the next debt. Then the next one. Then the next. One day, you’ll look behind you at the Paid In Full $10,000 with pride.
What’s a short term goal you have now that is part of a long term goal later?
