Do you ever find yourself struggling to come up with goals that will both achieve long-term benefits and produce value for yourself in the short term?

Perhaps, you’re trying to set goals for your side hustle or business, but are unsure of how much work is required to achieve them. Or maybe you want to improve your physical health, but don’t know what specific exercises or foods will help you realize your goal.

When you set a SMART goal, you can address this dilemma.

Quick Guide to Setting a SMART Goal

Setting a SMART goal defines specific criteria with its framework.

The goal setting process follows clear steps:

1. Identify your problem (e.g., “to lose weight”)
2. Identify what you want (e.g. “lose 20 pounds”)
3. Set a SMART goal (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound)

Setting a SMART goal is a great way to stay on track and achieve your goals. If you want to live a fulfilling, successful life, then it’s important to have both long-term and short-term goals.

Without long-term goals, it’s difficult to set a road map for your life. And without short-term goals, it’s hard to stay focused on what you need to do in order to reach your long-term goals.

Setting a SMART goal is an effective way to achieve your long-term goals, but it’s also important to have short-term goals in place as well.

By identifying the key factors that will help you accomplish your long-term and short-term goals, you’ll be able to create a successful plan for achieving your ultimate goals.

Setting a SMART Goal for the Long-Term

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day tasks of life and neglect setting long-term goals. If you want to achieve major goals, it’s important to take the time to establish a plan and make a commitment.

Here are five tips for setting a long-term goal:

1. Visualize what you want your life to look like. Creating a clear vision will help you prioritize your goals and stay on track.
2. Get organized. Start thinking about how you want to prioritize your goals.
3. Create a plan. Putting your goals in writing will help you stay focused and track your progress.
4. Prioritize what is most important, then choose the next most important goal to work on for now.
5. Persevere! Don’t give up. Keep moving forward, and you will reach your goals.

Setting a long-term goal is one of the most important things that you can do for yourself. It allows you to focus on what you want in life, and helps you stay on track.

Setting SMART Goals for the Short-Term

After you set a SMART goal for the long-term, break down your long-term goals into short-term goals.

This isn’t a hard-and-fast rule but short-term goals are usually achievable within a month or two. It can help you focus your energy and efforts.

Creating long-term and short-term SMART goals can help you achieve your desired outcome in a consistent, manageable manner.

Here are three tips for creating both types of goals: 

1. Start with the end in mind. Make sure your goal is ultimately beneficial to you and your goals. 
2. Prioritize your goals. Choose goals that are important to you and focus on achieving those first. 
3. Set measurable benchmarks.

Why Create Both Long-Term & Short-Term Goals

Creating both long-term and short-term goals is one way to ensure that you are achieving your overall objectives. It can be helpful to break down your goals into smaller, more manageable chunks. You’ll have a better idea of where you are headed and what you need to do in order to reach your destination.

Short-term goals provide motivation and a sense of accomplishment as you achieve them.

By setting both types of goals, you will be more likely to achieve success.