Short-term goals are tasks, objectives, and outcomes that can be achieved briefly, typically

within a year. A practical short-term objective should adhere to the SMART criteria, which
stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Be specific — You may achieve better results with well-defined goals. The objective of
"performing well in biology" lacks specificity. One iteration of this objective could be "
achieving a minimum score of 90% on the upcoming three biology quizzes."
Measurable - How will you determine successful goal achievement? Goals with well-defined
criteria for success are more effective than goals with uncertain results. While striving to
understand cellular metabolism is a worthy objective, it can be challenging to quantify.
Achievable - Can this objective be realistically achieved? A B-average in biology may make
aiming for a flawless mark unrealistic. Nevertheless, you can strive for an A.
Relevant – How does this aim align with your long-term goals, ambitions, or aspirations? What
is your motivation for pursuing this goal? Linking a short-term goal to a long-term goal can
significantly boost your motivation to work towards it. For instance, you might wish to link your
immediate objective of excelling in biology with your goal of enrolling in medical school and
becoming a physician.
Time-bound - What is the deadline for achieving this goal? A firm deadline for reaching your
objective can increase your motivation to act (Short-Term Goals: Definition, Examples, & List,
n.d.).
Short-term goals are comprehensive objectives but provide a route to accomplish them.
Establishing and pursuing short-term goals enables you to:
Recognize your potential for achievement today and act upon it.
Obtain prompt feedback
Initiate more rapidly
Define deadlines
Organize and rank tasks (Laoyan, 2022).
A long-term goal is an objective you aim to achieve in the future. These objectives necessitate
intricate organization and extended duration for accomplishment in contrast to short-term aims.
Long-term goals require significant foresight and planning. They can be professional, personal,
or a combination of both. Like all aspirations in life, long-term objectives push us beyond our
comfort zone and demand effort.
It is advisable to integrate short-term goals along the way. To accomplish your long-term goals
(What Is a Long-term Goal and How Can I Achieve It? n.d.)
During the goal-setting process, as a coach or mentor, I can provide encouragement, guidance,
and accountability to help the individual stay focused and progress toward their goals.
References:
Laoyan, S. (2022, October 31). The Importance of Short-term Goals (with examples) [2023] •

Asana. Asana. https://asana.com/resources/short-term-goals

Short-Term Goals: Definition, Examples, & list. (n.d.). The Berkeley Well-Being Institute.

https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/short-term-goals.html

What is a long-term goal, and how can I achieve it? (n.d.). https://www.betterup.com/blog/what-

is-a-long-term-goal