Understanding the different types of goals
As mentioned a moment ago, goals, regardless of what they might be do share some similarities, and besides similar traits needed to achieve them, the other is that they all pass with time. Just like the skills however, the time that each one takes is different. For example, getting fit and starting a business aren’t on the same time scale. One might take a few weeks, the other could take tens of years to complete, and even then, it might still not be finished. So here are the four main types of goal, that are based around time.
STEPPING STONE – Starting off, we have stepping stone goals. These types of goal get the ball rolling, with the idea in mind that they will lead to longer types of goals. Let’s say you want to get to fit, a stepping stone goal for you might be to purchase a gym membership. This can force your hand to go to the gym, so you don’t waste your money. That in itself could be another stepping stone goal. Maybe after a few sessions, you set yourself another goal – go to the gym three times a week. These small victories, regardless of the bigger picture build and build, like bricks. One on its own, one may seem insignificant, but it’s a start. Slowly but surely, you can add to them, and before you know it, you could be looking at the next step.
SHORT-TERM – To be clear, short-term goals aren’t always that short. Usually, short-term goals will typically last a few months to a few years, however depending on the goal, they could last a little longer. If we take our goal of getting healthy, a short-term goal that could be introduced could be to start, and stick to a balanced diet. Diets typically don’t last for a few weeks, rather the foreseeable future. The reason that diets would be considered a short-term goal as opposed to a long-term goal is because the initial challenge of sticking to that diet is the goal itself. Once you have overcome that, it’s part of your routine, and thus allows you to move onto one step further.
LONG-TERM – Long-term and short term are similar in many ways, the main difference being the time that it takes to complete them. Whilst short-term goals would typically last a few months to a few years, long-term goals will always last years, usually somewhere from 5 years-10/15 years. However, just like short-term goals, they can last longer. Let’s say that you’ve been going to the gym consistently for the past seven years. You’re in the best shape of your life. Your diet is good, you’re well rested and now you want to complete you next goal, a marathon. Marathons take a long time to train for, given that running 26 miles is no mean feat. But a marathon is doable. Very doable. It just takes time. Another long-term goal for you could be to maintain your lifestyle. As simple as that. Stay healthy and fit for another ten years, and see where you are then. Like I said, there’s not much difference between this, and short-term, except the time.
LIFETIME – You’ve reached the final type of goal. The lifetime goal. This is your main ambition. The one that will take most of your life to complete, and the one that you want more than anything else. It’s where you want to be, and who you want to be that you’re working towards. It takes time, and it will be difficult, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
Goals keep us going in life. They make our lives interesting. They give us motivation and ambition to be and do better. But knowing what makes a goal, a goal, and knowing how to set them up will put you on the right path to achieve them.