How to create and achieve long term goals
1. Begin with the end in mind
Visualize the future that you want to achieve. If you cannot visualize it then it will be difficult for other people to believe it. Visualize the big picture, like creating your own custom house. Once you have the big picture in your mind you will set about breaking down that big picture into smaller parts.
Don't skip over this step, because you really need to ask yourself some tough questions:
Do you really want to achieve this goal? Or is it a goal you feel society wants you to achieve?
College, marriage, religion, job. These are all things that society drills into us that we should want, but the reality of these things does not always serve the individual. Ask yourself if you really want these goals.
Are you willing to make time sacrifices to put hours in this goal?
Building a house takes time. Business, relationship, career. These things take a lot of time to cultivate and you have to be willing to put in the effort for the payoff.
My parents really wanted me to go into medicine and I looked at how much time and effort it would take and I did not want to do it.
2. Refine the results you want to see
You have the big goal in mind. Fill in the details about that goal.
3. Your goals should be SMART
SMART goals really do work
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic to a point
Time - bound
4. Write them down
Writing will help you clarify your thoughts
5. Create an action plan
You can use software for this.
But you need to develop a physical process that is going to get you to success.
6. Break down that action plan into baby steps
You need to make progress on a regular basis and the only way that happens is if you can be successful on a regular basis on small items.
7. Put a timeline around your goals, but understand that it could take longer
Medical school takes 4 years.
Some goals take longer than others, but in general you want to put some urgency around you accomplishing your goal.
8. Start the process
Jump now and figure out the details as you go.
9. Keep taking steps
There will be obstacles.
People, time, money, stress, sleepiness.
Keep overcoming those obstacles, aka writing NotePD lists, till you have accomplished your goal.
10. Reassess your progress and your end goal as you go
You may start making progress toward your goal and realize that the end payoff is not worth it.
Or that you do not really enjoy the process of getting to the end goal.
Constantly be readjusting your goal to make sure that it fits the future that you want to have.
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