Setting short-and long-term goals

Long-term goals are ultimately what you want to accomplish and they will also help you determine the length of your plan.

Short-term goals, on the other hand, will keep you focused and help you plan out the steps to achieving your long-term goals. These short-term goals may be a week to a month long, depending on the problem you’re trying to solve. You may also want to set out some intermediate goals, which will bridge the gap between your short-and long-term goals.

Examples:

• Long-term goal: Every elementary school student has access to lots of books.
• Intermediate goal: I will work with my local library to create a book giveaway program in my neighborhood.
• Short-term goal: I will coordinate a neighborhood book drive to be donated to the local elementary school’s classroom libraries.

How to turn your goals into SMART goals

Look at your goals and rewrite them as SMART goals. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant and Timebound.

Example:

• Long-term goal: Within a year - elementary schoolers in my neighborhood will have access to books at school, at local organizations and at home.
• Intermediate goal: Within ten months - I will have worked with our local library to create a book giveaway program that takes place twice a month.
• Short-term goal: Within four months - I will have co-ordinated a neighborhood book drive to be donated to the local elementary school’s classroom libraries.

Determining Objectives

Once you have developed your goals, it’s time to create some objectives. These are clear, measurable action steps that will help you reach your goals.

Example:
To achieve my short-term goal of organizing a neighborhood book drive for the local elementary school’s classroom libraries, by the end of four months, I will have:

• Launched a marketing campaign, by using posted signs and social media, to raise awareness and get people excited for the drive.
• Convinced five local companies to join the drive by setting up donation bins for their customers.
• Organized a neighborhood barbeque where people can donate purchased and used books.
• Written letters to the elementary school and school board to set up donation bins and share the drive with the community.