Do you plan to reduce 20 kg in the next six months? Or do you wish to walk 10,000 steps by the end of the day on your Fitbit? Both are valid goals to have in life. Goals can be anything that can be achieved in a predetermined timeframe.
Setting goals is fundamental to living a happy life. Goals help you have something to look forward to and keep up your motivation to achieve. Not having goals can lead to passivity and aimlessness. There is substantial research evidence documenting the benefits of setting both personal and organizational goals.
There are different categories of goals that have different objectives. It might help to categorize your various goals to increase productivity and efficiency.
Table of Contents
Time-Based Goals
These goals depend on the time you set to achieve them. Time-based goals help you stay on the clock and consistent. It’s like an investment where you invest time.
1. Short Term Goals
Short-term goals are those that you wish to achieve in the near future. They could be stepping stones within a long-term goal or independent goals. Short-term goals help you stay motivated to achieve more because it feels good to keep checking off smaller goals. It boosts your confidence and self-esteem whenever you achieve a goal.
Examples of short-term goals include losing 10 pounds in the following month, giving up coffee immediately, finishing a book in a week, completing a short certificate-course, etc.
2. Long Term Goals
Long-term goals are set to be achieved in the future, but you need to start working towards them now. These goals have a broader scope and take longer to achieve. They give you not only a sense of direction but also a bigger purpose in life. These goals can be personal, for family, or work.
Examples of long-term goals include buying your dream house, studying in a university abroad, learning to speak another language, having a successful business, etc.
These kinds of goals can be overwhelming at times, but it is important to remember that they all start with small daily habits that will result in compound growth during time.
For more information on habits and how to shape them visit mooremomentum.com
3. Lifetime Goals
Lifetime goals include anything you wish to achieve at any point in your life. These could also span throughout your life. There is no limit to all that you can achieve in your life. These goals could be based on your dream, vision, or purpose and can be achieved at a young age, middle age, or old age.
Examples of lifetime goals include traveling around the world, having a family and raising children, developing a cure for cancer, being in the Forbes 30 under 30, etc.
Personal Goals
To live a well-rounded and balanced life, people need to set goals in every sphere of their lives. These goals help you stay organized and take control of your life.
1. Health Goals
There is very little a sick person can do in life. One should always prioritize physical, mental, and emotional health and fitness. It is much easier to focus on other things and achieve other goals when you’re alive and well.
Setting health goals could look like taking a long, brisk walk or running every day, doing some yoga and meditation every day, following a balanced diet, drinking 7-8 glasses of water daily, and sticking to a sleep schedule.
2. Financial Goals
Not having financial goals related to saving and spending could give you unpleasant surprises when there’s still time for you to receive your paycheck. No one likes running out of money when they need it the most. These problems can be easily avoided by planning and setting goals. These goals help you take control of your finances.
For example, you could have a saving plan, investment plan, strive to grow your income, pay off debts and bills in time, etc.
3. Family Goals
It is essential to have a good family life to stay happy and healthy. Disturbances at home can lead to a poor state of mind and a lack of focus on everything else. Family goals help you keep your loved ones happy and have a balanced family life.
These goals could include taking out time every day to do an activity with your family, going on monthly trips with them, helping around the house with chores, etc.
Conclusion
Goals can add meaning and purpose to life, and setting the right goals can help you become productive and successful. While it’s good to have goals and the determination to achieve them, it’s also important to strike a balance. Getting too passionate and neglecting your health and well-being in the pursuit of goals can be harmful.
Featured Image by gabrielle_cc from Pixabay
