Set Short and

Long Term Goals

​

REFLECT AND DREAM

Introduction

In this lesson, you will discuss the differences between long-term and short-term goals. You will craft both long-term and short-term goals for yourself in any area of your life. You will then decide which of these goals are high priority and which are not. Ultimately, you will choose one of your long-term goals and develop a plan to help you achieve it.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?

​

REFLECT AND DREAM

A short-term goal is something you want to do in the near future. The near future can mean today, this week, this month, or even this year. A short-term goal is something you want to accomplish soon.

A short term goal is a goal you can achieve in 12 months or less.

-careerwise.minnstate.edu

EXAMPLES OF

SHORT-TERM GOALS:

​

TAKE A CLASS

​

BUY A NEW TELEVISION

​

WRITE MY RESUME

A long-term goal is something you want to do further in the future. Long-term goals require time and planning. They are not something you can do this week or even this year. Long-term goals usually take 12 months or more to achieve.

​

-careerwise.minnstate.edu

EXAMPLES OF

LONG-TERM GOALS:

​

GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE

​

SAVE FOR RETIREMENT

​

HAVE MY OWN BUSINESS

​

Analyze the 8 goals below and determine if they are long term goals or short term goals for a middle school student. Use the T-chart in your worksheet to sort them.

Use the table below to write your own short and long term goals. Write at least two of each type of goal, however, you are encouraged to list far more than that. Setting and meeting goals is a huge indicator of success.

HOW CAN YOU REACH YOUR GOALS?

​

REFLECT AND DREAM

Watch the video "How to Set Goals (4 Easy Steps).

​

After watching the video, work with a partner to identify five important ideas about goal setting

How to Set Goals

(4 Easy Steps)

How do you decide what to do first? How do you adjust your goals? This is called prioritizing.

​

Prioritizing means that you decide what is most important to you right now. All of your goals are important, but it's impossible to work on all of them at once.

- careerwise.minnstate.edu

Prioritizing Your Goals

• CHOOSE WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW.
• FOCUS MAINLY ON THAT GOAL.
• ADD ADDITIONAL GOALS AS YOU BECOME COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR EFFORTS.
• BEING FLEXIBLE IS IMPORTANT. YOU WILL MOST LIKELY CHANGE YOUR GOALS AS YOUR LIFE CHANGES.

Form a group of three or four. Share your goals and and listen to the goals of others.

Share which goal is the most important to you and at least one idea from the video that you could try to help you reach that goal.

​

- Discuss potential barriers to your goal and brainstorm ways to overcome them.

- Discuss how sharing your goals with others can help you achieve them.

​

WHAT ARE THE STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO REACH YOUR GOAL?

​

REFLECT AND DREAM

Tips for Setting Long-Term Goals

​

• Work backwards. Think about what you want to achieve then plan steps going back to what you can do right now.
• Create a picture of where you want to be in life 10 years from now.
• Think about what you need to do in five years, in one year, and in six months to get to your long-term goal.
• Write down what you need to do each month to achieve your goals.
• After each monthly goal is achieved, look at your goals and adjust them as needed.

- careerwise.minnstate.edu

Use the ladder graphic organizer to help you plan out one of your goals. For long term goals you may want to use a longer ladder as there might be more steps along the way.

What are some of the potential barriers to your goal?

​

• Money?
• Time?
• Knowledge?
• Skill?
• No Mentors?
• Health?

​

Use this table to help you anticipate and overcome potential barriers to achieving your goal. Talk to other people to help you come up with ways to overcome the barriers.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT SETTING SHORT AND LONG TERM GOALS?

​

REFLECT AND DREAM