Setting Short Term Goals and Long Term Goals
Books to Help With Your Goals
I Think I Can
Setting Goals
Looking back over the last two years I've set several writing goals and happily achieved them. Several were short term goals while another one was being accepted into the Apprenticeship Program, which was a long term goal. There were times that I felt I wasn't going to be able to complete the task leading to the goals but happily I did.
When I set a goal, should I happen get to the point of feeling like I’m going to fail, a vision always comes to mind; “The Little Engine That Could”. If you are unfamiliar with this, it is a children’s story about a small train engine that takes on the task that larger engine trains have turned down. Thomas, the small engine, has to go up a high mountain and rescue a stranded train and pull it up across the mountain. Throughout the story he repeats over and over “I think I can, I think I can.” As he nears his destination and completion point he repeats, “I thought I could, I thought I could.”
New In Town-Available on Amazon
Long Term Goal Publishing My First Book
I had a short story here on HubPages a few years ago. After receiving encouragement from so many authors here I decided to take the story and self-publish it through KDP.
I'm happy to say after editing, and having my husband design the book cover, it is now available on 
It's been a life long dream and long term goal of mine to see this happen. I set my mind to it and achieved it. If I can do you can too.
Setting Goals
Do you set goals in your daily life?
Support
I found that having a support system such as friends and fellow writers helped me immensely. There were days that I wanted to throw in the towel and say I just can’t do this anymore. When they would hear this I’d be shot down in a second, dusted off and be put back to work through words of kindness, caring and encouragement.
Goals to Improve Your Life
Going back to school to attain that degree, to learn a new trade, start a new career, or to enhance your career for further growth.
Goals for a Healthier Life
Setting up a diet and or exercise plan, whether it is to lose weight or to become a healthier person.
Quitting smoking, drinking or drugs
Seeking help from a medical professional such as a counselor or psychologist
Financial Goals
Whether you are saving for that first car, first home, saving for retirement, for a trip, to get out of debt, or to pay off bills in order to live more comfortably, there are many ways in which you can achieve a financial goal. I know you've heard this over and over again but it really does work … Live Frugally.
Rewards for Achieving Goals
For myself I find it fun and rewarding to set a goal and achieve it. There are many reasons why we set goals and in turn different benefits that come from goal setting.
- It feels good to accomplish goals
- Improves self esteem
- Confidence builder
- When you set out to do something, follow through with it, and achieve it, this will and can lead to bigger goals in life. Sometimes you just have to reach for the stars and make your dreams come true.
- Feelings of success come from goal setting and successful people set goals.
- Setting goals whether short term or long term motivates you and gives you purpose and direction in life.
Where to begin
If you have a difficult time setting goals or setting up a goal and following through to achieve it, start out with baby steps, such as a to do list. Push yourself to get it done. Once you've attained this goal, challenge yourself to achieve a larger goal.
Goals take determination, drive direction and desire. Sometimes they come out of need or necessity and other times they’ll come from wanting to help another human being.
No matter which way you look at it goals large or small are good for the body, mind, and soul.
Comments
AUTHORThanks Marie!
Great hub Susan. Why am I not surprised that you would be a goal setter and a goal getter?!? How else would you juggle so many roles at the same time?
Most of us start with setting daily goals then forget and get muddled up. So thanks for the reminder.
- AUTHOR
Thanks so much Iris and nice to see you here.
I love setting goals. Like you said, accomplishing goals builds confidence. Your suggestion to set daily goals is right on. It also alleviates stress because we get things done and don't have things hanging over our heads. Good suggestions. :)
- AUTHOR
CarNoobz, I think many people are like that, your're not alone :) Thanks for reading and commenting.
I'm super awesome at setting goals...just suckie at following through with them LOL
Voted up!
- AUTHOR
Thanks cclitgirl, I was pretty sure you would be a goal oriented person.
Happy New Year.
- AUTHOR
I know you can, I know you can :) And so you will! LOL It sure was SS and cheers!
- AUTHOR
Bill, My list making used to drive my husband crazy so now I hide my lists on my cell phone :) They are a great way to stay focused on goals though :) Thanks for stopping by and Happy New Year!
I'm fueled by goals. I'm extremely goal-oriented, haha. I love your take on this. Wonderful hub!
- AUTHOR
Hi Tammy, Thanks and good luck with all your goals.
I think I can, I think I can, well crap, I definitely can! Great tips for setting goals SZ. Completing the AP was definitely an accomplishment. Yay for you and me too!
Susan, this is great. I live by goals and lists. It really helps to keep me on track. This is great advice for anyone who struggles staying focused. Well done.
These are great suggestions for the new year and something I need to focus on all year. Sometimes my thoughts, energy, and goals are very scattered. I think this advice could make a big difference!
- AUTHOR
David, The apprenticeship program is great and I'd highly recommend it for everyone. Yes hub layout is one of the many things that you learn.
Oh dear, Susan....didn't mean to mislead you!! I have IMPROVED .. from having 6 or 7 unfinished projects going at one time, to having only 3 or 4!!!...........ROFLMAO! (In the interest of honesty!)
- AUTHOR
Paula, Thanks and somehow I had a feeling that you were a goal oriented gal :)
- AUTHOR
Kulsum, Goals for 3 and 5 years, that is great!
Short, to the point, great message, and well written. Enjoyed reading your hub. Also assuming the apprenticeship program is awesome! I found your layout for this very impressive not that I am a pro by any means but am assuming these are things you have learned in the apprenticeship?
- AUTHOR
ALUR, My goal for the upcoming months is to loose ten pounds that I've gained this year and probably a few more after this Christmas season. Thank you for stopping by and I'll be sure to read some of your hubs soon.
Well said, Susan. GOALS....long or short term are just a darned good idea. We need to give ourselves "focus"....some direction and organization.
If we're completely ad-lib...spur of the moment, how do we expect to ever get anything done to satisfaction? I learned a hard lesson or two. There was time when I could have 6 or 7 unfinished projects, going on within the same time frame. Ridiculous! Thanks...UP+++
- AUTHOR
Ruby, The quit smoking one is a tough one for sure. So far so good here as I enter my 6 1/2 month mark. Hope I never relapse again.
- AUTHOR
ImKarn, Yes that makes total sense as I'm same way. I procrastinate but then at the last minute I'll do what it is I've set out to do. Most times anyways :)
I have set goals for the year, for 3 years, for 5 years. But, setting goals for the DAY. This is a very good idea Susan. And very practical too as you get to judge yourself in a day. Thanks.
- AUTHOR
lovedoctor and Martin, Thanks you for stopping by and for your comments.
Thanks for this insightful hub. I tend to wander and "go with the flow' which often leads to poetic writing but does not fit well into a world that requires productivity(in other words a paycheck). I will start today with the small goals so that I am not intimidated to go further...
You're welcome to read/rate my versatile hubs as well:)
Great hub Susan. I think the most difficult goal for me was to quit smoking. I was able to do that and the feeling of accomplishment was great. I think setting goals is important. Thank's for sharing..
i am very goal oriented - and yet - a bit of a procrastinator as well..Does that make any sense? lol..
i've learned to go easier on myself since i...'broke' - and some days the 'goal' is to simply 'get through it'..
ya know?
I'm very strong minded - and had to learn to turn a damaging type A personality into a much happier- and poorer - type B-.....LOL..
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drbj, It does feel great when you accomplish your goals. I'm sure you've done that millions of times :)
Merry Christmas!
- AUTHOR
Carol, I think once I set my mind to get a goal accomplished I try my hardest to complete it or get as far as I can. Thanks for reading and as always for your comments.
Thank you for this. I use the S.M.A.R.T. system.
It's very important to set realistic goals and follow-through with them. A very good and inspirational hub.
- AUTHOR
Thanks B. Merry Christmas and all the best in 2013 to both you and Lover Man!
Yes, Susan, I do set goals. All the time. It does feel good to do that. And sometimes I even follow up on them. That feels even better!
- AUTHOR
xstatic, Thanks so much!
Goals take lots of commitment...more than writing them down as Ican see you did. I like having goals as it keeps me stimulated and interested in what I am doing. My daily list is a form a goals..to complete, finish or just work on something. Great hub and my goal is complete here because it was to read your hub.
- AUTHOR
Judi, Glad I got it out there when you needed it :)
Hi Susan,
A most Upbeat as well as Enlightening read... Setting & achieving Goals gives us a purpose in Life...And, brings us closer to our Dreams! I Enjoyed reading your thoughts & Suggestions on setting Short & Long Term Goals.
A Very Merry Christmas to You and your Family!
Susan, this is a great informative Hub and you offer many good suggestions for the all-important task of setting goals and metting them.
I'm in need of a major goal setting exercise - glad this popped up now :)
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