But why now? Why get started on something that could take months or years at this moment? Well, what time could possibly be better than the present? The sooner you start on your goal, the sooner you’ll begin seeing progress. If you’re looking for a sign to begin something new that will shape part of your future—this is it. It’s always time to be the best possible version of yourself. Working towards your long-term goals starts now. While the idea of having a long-term goal and making advancements towards it is satisfying to think about, you may be lost when considering where to start. After all, trying to think of a goal that suits your own specific life can be overwhelming. You want to improve your career, but you don’t know how to do that, exactly. Or your lifestyle and health could be better, but what’s best to focus on? To help you brainstorm, we’ve rounded up a few long-term goals with examples for each part of your life. Of course, tailor these to suit your own individual needs and desires; your life means your goals!
Examples of Long-Term Career Goals
Build out your own network of professionals in your field.Reconsider your dream job and set a plan for working toward it.Earn a new degree or certificate in your current or desired field.Create a plan for retirement.Become a mentor or leader in your field.
Examples of Long-Term Health Goals
Keep a regular workout regimen.Start eating a vegetarian/pescatarian/vegan diet.Sleep eight hours a night.Set and go to regular health checkups and screenings for generational health concerns.Seek routine therapy or counseling to improve and maintain mental health
Examples of Long-Term Finance Goals
Pay off student loans.Purchase your first car or house.Build a college fund for your children.Set up a retirement account with a professional.Strive for a credit score over 800 and maintain it.
Examples of Long-Term Personal Goals
Master a foreign language.Become a routine volunteer for a cause or organization you care about.Strive toward zero waste.Declutter your space and your life.Live in another state or country for an extended period of time.
Examples of Long-Term Friendship & Relationship Goals
Join a new club or team.Research your family tree and reach out to distant relatives.Maintain communication and affection with your partner.Balance alone time and social time.Travel to see old friends frequently.
Tips for Sticking with Your Long-Term Goals
Once you’ve chosen which goal to work towards and tailored it to fit into your life, the next step is actually working towards it and sticking with it. While everyone deviates from their plan every once in a while, keeping yourself more on track will lead to more discernable progress. We’ve also got a few tips for holding yourself accountable for progress.
Choose a single goal to work toward at a time.Create a clear plan or vision for achieving your goal.Ask someone you trust to help keep you accountable.Set benchmark goals to help you track your progress.Find a mentor to advise you and lift you up.Be flexible in your approach.Write down your goal and keep track of it on paper.Re-evaluate and adjust your plan to achieve your goal as your life changes.Give yourself time off if you feel overwhelmed or burnt out for longevity.Look back at how far you’ve come if you begin to feel disheartened.
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