This month we’ll delve deeper into the goal-setting process by working on specific exercises to help you structure your goal, along with a goal chart that will help you track your progress. In general terms, short-term goals are goals you can reach in one year or less. Long-term goals are ones that are attainable in one to five years.  Both of these goals work hand-in-hand with each other. By merely having a long-term goal, you don’t have the necessary “baby” steps that will get you where you need to go. It’s like starting from point A and being told to go to Point C without any type of roadmap in hand. This is where short-term goals come in. A short-term goal is a rung on the ladder; a concrete activity you can check off on a list. It is also a task that leads you towards your ultimate goal.

In creating a short-term goal, it is important to distinguish between what you “wish” for and what you ultimately want. Often a person’s goal can be “to make lots of money,” “live where it’s warm,” “find Mr. or Ms. Right,” etc., but these are merely broad generalizations and therefore, it’s difficult to create concrete markers to let you know if you’re heading in the right direction.

Instead, use these broad subject areas to delve into what exactly motivates you about them. Instead of wanting to make lots of money, this “wish” could be re-phrased to “making $50,000 this year and saving $2,000 for retirement.” There are also many more factors involved in “living where it’s warm” that you need to address. What part of the country interests you, what is the cost of living, what demographics are you seeking? By breaking down a statement of what you wish your life could be like, you are much more likely to get there. In order to reach your goals, you will have to get around any barriers you may face. List those barriers and your solutions for dealing with them.  Below are two exercises to help you structure your short-term goal-setting process.

Exercise: In creating your goal, ask yourself the following questions:

1. What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?

2. What would your “perfect life’ look like and your “worst life” look like?

3. How important is the goal to you? Why is it important?

4. What obstacles might I face?

Exercise: On a sheet of paper, write “Short-term Goals I Want to Accomplish.” Start with the goal that most interests you, then create a column for each of these areas:

1. Things I can do right now to achieve them

2. Things I can do next month

3. Things I can do six months from now

4. Things that might prevent me from achieving my goal

5. Thoughts I’m telling myself about my abilities to complete this goal

For each statement, make a list of concrete actions you can do, then set a deadline for their completion. After you complete each action, put a big checkmark next to it. Seeing something written down can often be much more motivating then simply thinking about it.

Following this framework, you can begin working on transforming any negativity or frustration you may be suffering in your life to positive energy and a strong focus. Find a coach to help you define your goals. Try taking the coachability assessment to see if coaching is right for you.

Mariano M. Jauco has been empowering business professionals and individuals by sharing his knowledge to produce positive change in the world. His personal development techniques and methods will allow you to reach your goals and achieve the success and prosperity you deserve.

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