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An effective goal system requires a strategic mix of longer-term big picture goals as well as shorter term incremental goals. Long term goals provide overarching direction and short term goals create the steps to get there. Aligning goals across different time horizons is key for sustained motivation and achievement.

Long Term Goals

Long term goals have a timeframe of 5, 10, 20 years or more. They are your big hairy audacious goals for your life. 

Benefits

• Provide broader purpose and meaning
• Create a vision for the future self  
• Drive ambition by crystallizing massive dreams
• Offer stability amidst life fluctuations
• Enforce patience and perseverance

Strategies

• Make goals aspirations but grounded in identity
• Break into smaller milestones with their own deadlines
• Re-evaluate every few years for relevance
• Be flexible on time frames if needed
• Focus on system, not just big outcome

Examples include career dreams like becoming a CEO, entrepreneurial goals like starting a successful business, creating an extraordinary lifestyle, financial goals like retiring early or wealthy.

 Short Term Goals

Short term goals have shorter time horizons ranging from daily, weekly, monthly to 1-3 years. 

Benefits

• Create stepping stones to long-term goals
• Provide quick wins and sense of progress  
• Offer regular feedback to calibrate efforts
• Develop momentum through smaller successes
• Ingrain habits through repetition  

Strategies

• Ensure they ladder up to bigger goals 
• Make highly specific, measurable and time-bound 
• Schedule tasks needed to achieve them
• Review and readjust frequently
• Take consistently despite fluctuations in motivation

Examples include quarterly sales targets, publishing a book in 1 year, improving 5K times over 3 months, etc.

Balancing Long and Short Term Goals

Both long term and short term goals complement each other. Some tips to balance them:

• Have a mix of time frames rather than just one type
• Use short term goals to build capabilities for long term ones  
• Derive short term goals directly from massive dreams 
• View short term goals as milestones of bigger goals
• When motivation dips on bigger goals, focus on next short term target
• Occasionally relate short term goals back to the big picture for perspective
• Adjust longer goals to align with short term goal progress 

Too many short sighted goals result in getting stuck in the weeds. But goals too far in the future lose relevance. The art is integrating goals across both horizons.

Setting SMART Short Term Goals

To derive maximum output, short term goals must be SMART:

SMART short term goals manifest long-term visions into doable milestones.

Setting a Mix of Goals in Key Areas

Having an aligned combination of long term and short term goals in major life facets creates a holistic roadmap. 

Career Goals

Health and Fitness Goals  

Financial Goals

Personal Growth Goals

Relationship Goals

Obstacles of Long Term vs Short Term Goals

1. Losing motivation: Long term goals can take years to accomplish. Without short term milestones to celebrate along the way, motivation can fizzle out. On the flip side, only chasing short term wins can result in losing sight of bigger visions.
2. Competing priorities: Daily urgencies demanding attention can overshadow pursuit of long-ranging objectives. Going into overdrive on short term targets can also derail long term success.
3. Uncertainty and change: The assumptions underlying long term goals set today may alter over time due to internal and external changes. Short term goals may need modifications too when situations evolve. Adapting to changing contexts can be challenging.
4. Underestimating effort and time: Long haul objectives often demand relentless effort consistently over extended periods. The monumental effort required may be underestimated. Timelines set might also prove unrealistic. This could demotivate if short terms goals also remain unmet.
5. Distractions and interruptions: Day-to-day disruptions by way of notifications, internet rabbit holes, demands from people and unclear boundaries result in fractured focus – impeding both long term consistency and short term momentum.
6. Health challenges and obstacles: Stress, unforeseen health events, injuries and other obstacles outside one’s control can impact continuity of progress towards goals spanning all time horizons. Having alternatives and flexibility helps overcome setbacks.

FAQ About Long vs Short-Term Goals

Should I focus more on long-term or short-term goals?

Focus your energy on short-term goals tied to long-term ones. The bigger goals provide direction, but day-to-day effort is on shorter goals.

What if short-term goals don’t help achieve long-term goals?

Assess if longer-term goals have drifted and no longer represent your aspirations. If not, ensure short-term goals ladder up directly to the longer targets. 

How often should long-term goals be reassessed? 

Review longer-term goals every few years for relevance given your priorities and growth. But don’t change just because of temporary discouragement.

Can short-term goals be unrelated to bigger goals?

The most impactful short-term goals align with long-term goals. But some flexibility is fine to accommodate other areas of life.

Should I share my long-term goals with others?

Be selective who you share the biggest goals with. Well-wishers could unintentionally discourage lofty dreams. But trusted support can help you stay accountable.

Why financial short term goals are important?

Financial short-term goals are important because they provide focus, help manage immediate expenses, and lay the foundation for long-term financial stability.

In summary, integrating goals across different time frames provides the compass and fuel for an epic life journey. Keep eyes on the horizon but feet on the ground.