Do you usually work on your SHORT term or LONG term goals?

United States
April 27, 2007 5:09pm CST
I am in a certain point in my life, whereas I can somehow say it is one of the many crossroads that is about to come. There's tons of decisions to make, and undeniably, these decisions play the main part as to how we foresee our future. If you have two options, first, is to just go with the flow and see how things work out for your future; as they say, you can't force yourself to make a decision base on impulse because it will most likely turn out to be a bad one. And second, plan ahead and consider the long term goal, be willing to make sacrifices for the short term if you believe that it will result to a much fulfilling outcome in the long run. Which road is more likely for you to take? When I look back, I have always only worked for what is short term, I have not looked far enough in the future, that is why now I am in a dilemma. How about you? How do you set your goals?
2 people like this
5 responses
@missytia (387)
• Australia
27 Apr 07
This can be a tough question and most of us will find ourselves asking this question at some point in our lives. As for me though, I tend to work on both. I know what my long term goals are and I work towards them but I set myself short term goals along the way that will lead me to my long term goals. These are like stepping stones along the way. Sometimes there are obstacles in my way but I look to what my long term goals for the future are, then work on that, even if that means a few sacrifices along the way. My short term goals are always changing but my future plans and goals remain the same.
• United States
27 Apr 07
That's good to hear, that you are setting short term goals that will eventually bring you closer to achieving your long term ones. I think it is also about how we strategize to make it happen.
1 person likes this
@Divzs18 (441)
• India
27 Apr 07
There are many people who ask me this question and I always tells them that I tke life as it comes...I don't work on any long term goals though I get prepared for it...i love to live in present who knows about the future so I like to enjoy every moment of present...
1 person likes this
@AnythngArt (3302)
• United States
27 Apr 07
I think that I focus on too many short-term goals and not enough long-term ones. It's hard because most folks want more immediate gratification (which is why we get ourselves into so much trouble, financially and with relationships, as just two examples). It's hard to keep focused on long term goals, but that's where the big rewards come in. I think we need a balance, but most people skew their focus to the short term.
• United States
27 Apr 07
I agree... we can't focus on long term goals cause we are not patient enough to wait for the greater rewards to come, instead we want immediate results so we always end up settling for short terms... short term goals, short term happiness, it would sometimes be nice if we can focus on what is going to be permanent than what is here temporarily right?
1 person likes this
@tigerdragon (4297)
• Philippines
5 May 07
look at it as your road map to your success. it is your life map. it does not have to be perfect , you just need a map to navigate through your future.try to put a mark on your life end, say 80 years of age, then minus your age to it.so you are left with a number which you can fill doing what you want in your life.let us say you have 55 year or so, divide it and see how many goals you can make. a short term goal is your guidepost to your life long term is your purpose in life.
• Singapore
28 Apr 07
I think the ideal thing would be to have long term goals. Then make short terms ones so that you can achieve something like milestones and you move towards your long term goals. So in essence, we are working on both kinds of goals at the same time.