Short term goals are things that I want to get done in the near future. I would say less than a year. These would include things that would be more likely to improve my life now. An example would be, replacing your dying car with an affordable car that runs better.
Short term goals are measured more quickly than long term goals. One can realize the benefit of short term goal more quickly than long term goals. Also short term goals requires less planning than long term goals.
This is a topic that is near and dear to the hearts of my readers, researchers, and website visitors. So much so that one of them were kind enough to share their own personal opinions. I don’t claim to be the best interviewer in the world, but I do promise some good, raw, and honest answers from normal people like you and me. I do my best to NOT filter these answers, except for the bad words and hateful speech.
With that little blurb out of the way, let’s dive right into the juicy bits of (potentially) life-changing insights.
Current Topic: Short-Term Goals
‘R’ = Richard N. Stephenson (me!)
‘I’ = Interviewee (anonymous by request unless otherwise noted)
R: How would the average person out there benefit from this topic?
I: They can really help you stay focused and targeted toward getting stuff done. I’m not just talking about the useless busywork stuff either – I’m talking about the biggest, most awesome stuff that actually needs to get done.
R: Sometimes, I think this kind of stuff could really help people in life – what do you think?
I: Short term goals are a stepping stone to larger and often life changing accomplishments. By setting short term goals that are achievable and reasonable, it helps to build a checklist of tangible progress. This leads to accomplishing life changing goals such as financial success, health, and education.
R: Explain what about this subject could help people be just all around better.
I: Giving yourself goals will help push you beyond what you think you can do. Short term goals not only drive you to do better but motivate you to get the job done. It’s very productive to give yourself mini shorts and accomplish them.
R: Who do you think is best when it comes to this topic?
I: A comedian such as Robin Williams gets laughs quickly. He doesn’t benefit if he waits too long on a joke. All the short-term moves he makes add up to a big paycheck.
R: Who’s the flat-out worst at this subject?
I: Cheri can’t seem to set and attain short-term goals because she’s so focused on the long-term. She doesn’t seem to understand that without the baby steps, she can’t take the big steps. She needs to back up and take a second look at her goals in general.
R: Start planning for tomorrow by letting us know how this topic could be more present in your daily life.
I: I would use a to do list. To do list are for short term goals. To list can become a part of my life just be listing what I plan to purchase for groceries, for an example.
R: How would you describe the best time to make this topic part of your life?
I: There is never a “most appropriate” time. Short term goals are always the first step to actualizing long term goals. For example, if I want to lose 50 pounds by next year, then my smaller goals will be exercising 7 times a week or trying to eat healthy food each day. Short term goals are always appropriate!
R: When do you think folks should absolutely NOT work on this topic?
I: When one is working towards long term goals, it’s critically important to not be distracted by more immediate short term goals. You must keep your eye on the ball so to speak so as to not lose sight on the big picture. Short term goals are acceptable, as long as, they do not interfere with more permanent long term goals for the individual.
R: Where’s the best place someone can bring this topic into their life?
I: Only you can decide to make short-term goal part of your daily life. Nobody will force you to become one unless you really decide to make them and do them. a little motivation may be required over time but in the end it is you who gets to make that final decision. If its not real to you, stop wasting your time and move on to something else.
R: Tell us about the worst place to make this subject part of our lives.
I: The worst place to make short-term goals is at a bar. You’re most likely drinking and all your short-term decisions are impulsive. You want to be clear-headed and in a quiet, calm place to make short-term goals.
R: In your opinion, who out there could use a little more help with this subject?
I: I feel like close friends or your everyday friends can help you with short term goals. Why because they are there for the moment so they try and solve the problem the quickest way possible. Long term goals on the other hand are something that will be with YOU and only YOU to make and execute. I feel like short term goals can be easily accomplished too in my opinion at least.
R: Got any advice for us on this topic? The readers are hungry!
I: Making ‘short-term goals’ happen can be as easy as just getting up and doing things. The action to get to the goals doesn’t have to be perfect. It does need to happen even if things are don’t work out as planned.
R: What would you say is something we should avoid at all costs when it comes to this topic?
I: You should avoid over thinking short term goals. Short term goals can become long term goals and not get accomplished if too much thinking goes into the project. Just concentrate on what is in front of you instead of forecasting that is involved in long term goals.
R: This topic is broad and the readers will need some focus. Can you help guide them along with an example of what to do next?
I: An actionable example would be making a daily to do list and working hard each day to accomplish the items on the list. If your focus when creating the list each day is aligned to those short-term goals, then ultimately, those goals will be met. Writing things down and making them visible in your daily life is a great way to help keep focus on what one is trying to accomplish.
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Thank you for reading this personal journey into becoming a better person and having a better future ahead of you. I hope you enjoyed this interview conversation and found golden nuggets you can immediately apply to your daily life.
If you want to get more productivity (and fulfillment!) out of your work, career, and life through being more motivated, then check out Staying Motivated at Work.
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