Have you ever thought about setting a small goal for yourself?
Maybe something really simple, like tidying up your closet, finally reading that book on your nightstand, saving up for a dream vacation, or training to run 5 or 10K.
These are what we refer to as short term goals.
They’re things you can achieve relatively quickly and often for their own satisfaction.
But below the surface, there can actually be a bit more to these goals.
Sometimes, they are a step towards bigger dreams.
Let’s say you’re aiming to boost your career.
In that case, you might set yourself a short term goal to get a professional certificate, which can open up some new job opportunities.
If you’re a student, getting a good grade on your next test could be your immediate target, helping you get into the college of your choice.
Or perhaps you’re saving for a down payment on your first home, setting the foundation for long-lasting financial security for you and your family.
Short term goals are not just about the immediate wins.
They’re about building a path to your long-term success and bigger goals.
Whether it’s personal satisfaction, professional growth, or setting up a secure future, these goals keep you moving forward, one step at a time.
Setting short-term goals can be a game-changer in your journey toward success.
But not just any goals, I’m referring to SMART goals here.
This clever acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (Macleod, 2012).
Let’s break them down into simple terms:
Be Specific: Aim with Precision
To really hit your target, you need to know exactly what it looks like.
For instance, rather than having a vague goal like “do well in biology,” sharpen it up a bit.
A specific goal would be “I’m gonna score at least 90% on the next three biology quizzes.”
This way, you know exactly what you’re aiming for.
Make it Measurable: Track Your Triumphs
Ask yourself, “How will I know when I’ve reached my goal?”
Your goal should have clear signs of success.
Consider the goal to “learn cellular metabolism.”
It sounds great but is a bit cloudy on how you’ll measure your success.
On the other hand, “I’ll be able to draw the steps cells use to turn food into energy,” is a goal you can definitely confirm when achieved.
Achievable: Set Realistic Targets
It’s crucial to be honest with yourself about what you can really accomplish.
If you’re currently getting B’s in biology, setting a goal for a perfect score might be stretching it too far.
However, aiming to get yourself an A is challenging, but yet quite achievable.
Relevant: Connecting all the Dots
Why is this goal important to you?
Linking your short term goals to your long-term aspirations can fuel your drive.
For instance, excelling in biology could be a step towards your bigger dream of attending medical school and even becoming a doctor.
Time-bound: Set Yourself a Deadline
Goals need deadlines because they push you to take action.
So, decide on a specific date that you want your goal to be achieved by.
This sense of urgency can be a powerful motivator.
Setting SMART goals transforms them from mere wishes to clear, attainable targets.
It’s about creating a roadmap for your success, with each goal being a checkpoint along the way.
Setting Effective Work Goals – The FAST Way
When it comes to achieving success at work, setting the right kind of goals can make all the difference.
In 2018 Sull & Sull suggested a handy method called FAST for setting work goals.
Let’s have a closer look and break it down into simpler terms:
Frequently
Goals should be talked about often and changed if needed.
This is important because, when you’re in a busy work environment, what you need to achieve can sometimes change.
Regular check-ins on your progress can help you do better.
Sometimes, you might need to switch up your goals or even drop some altogether to stay on track.
Ambitious
Don’t just go for goals that are going to be easy to hit.
The best companies encourage their employees to aim higher.
So set goals that will challenge you, but are still possible to achieve.
Specific
Your goals should be clear and have ways to measure success, so make sure you avoid vague goals.
For instance, instead of just saying “I’ve got to do better in sales,” set a goal like “I’m going to increase sales by 10% this quarter.”
This way, you’ll know exactly what you’re aiming for and can easily see if you’ve hit your target.
Transparent
Everyone in your workplace should be able to see what goals have been set.
This helps in a number of ways.
It can avoid overlapping work with other teams, increases responsibility, and lets everyone understand how their work contributes to the company’s bigger picture.
To put FAST into practice, imagine you’re a marketing manager at a new start-up.
Your long-term aim is to make more people aware of your brand.
A good short-term goal following the FAST method could be to get 100,000 followers on your company’s Facebook page.
But, as time goes on and new social media platforms become popular, you might have to make changes to this goal to stay relevant.
By following these FAST guidelines, you can set goals that are not just achievable but also contribute significantly to your workplace’s overall success.
Using Short Term Goals to Achieve Your Long Term Goals
Have you ever thought about how your daily actions can lead to achieving something bigger?
Long term goals are like your life’s mission statement.
They represent what you truly believe in and what you see as your purpose in the world.
Short term goals, on the other hand, are the small everyday steps you take, that mirror these larger ambitions (Doran, 1981).
Imagine your big dream is to feel a deeper bond with your community and the world around you.
To make this dream a reality, you can set small daily or weekly goals that reflect this bigger picture.
For instance, deciding to dedicate at least 10 hours a month to helping others in your community is a practical short-term goal.
This can not only give you immediate satisfaction but also steadily guide you towards your broader aim of building stronger connections and a sense of belonging.
By aligning your short term goals with your long-term vision, each day can become more meaningful, and every small step will feel like progress toward something bigger and more fulfilling.
References
● Doran, G. T. (1981). There’s a S.M.A.R.T. way to write management’s goals and objectives. Management Review, 70(11), 35–36.
● Macleod, L. (2012). Making SMART goals smarter. Physician Executive, 38(2), 68-72.
● Sull, D., & Sull, C. (2018). With Goals, FAST Beats SMART. MIT Sloan Management Review, 59(4), 1-11.
