Feeling a little lost in the day-to-day? We get it. Life often feels like a whirlwind of tasks, deadlines, and unexpected turns. It's easy to get caught up in the immediate demands and lose sight of the bigger picture – in fact, 63.4% of people lack the time they need to get stuff done. But that's where long-term goals come in. Long-term goals can provide a clear path, giving you stability and purpose even if (and when) life gets a bit crazy.

So what are long-term goals, really? Are they just big dreams, or is there a strategic way to make them happen?  How do we balance setting our sights high while staying grounded in what's achievable? And most importantly, how do we maintain the motivation and perseverance needed to reach those far-off finish lines? 

75.0% of employees believe setting goals and monitoring progress around team productivity is important, yet many still struggle with it. So, in this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about setting and reaching your long-term goals.

Top 10 tips for setting long-term goals:

1. Start with why
2. Define the goals
3. SMART goals
4. Form new relevant habits
5. Find your motivation
6. Don't overcommit
7. Put it on the calendar
8. Stay flexible, adaptable
9. Track your progress
10. Be patient & persistent

What is a long-term goal?

A long-term goal is a desired outcome or achievement that requires sustained effort and planning over an extended period. Unlike short-term goals, which can be accomplished within days or weeks, long-term goals typically take months, years, or even decades to realize. They define the broader ambitions that steer us toward meaningful achievements in life and work.

Long-term goals provide the framework for achieving lasting fulfillment. They might be personal goals like running a marathon, writing a novel, or starting a family. They could be long-term career goals like landing a dream job, launching a business, or becoming a leader in your field. Or they could involve financial security, such as saving for retirement, buying a home, or paying off debt.

In setting (and seeking to achieve) long-term goals, you open yourself up to a journey full of growth, learning, and discovering more about yourself. You’ll stretch yourself, face some hurdles, and discover what you're really capable of. Even if the journey feels long and twisty, the payoff, in the end, is absolutely worth it.

What’s the difference between long-term & short-term goals?

Both long-term and short-term goals matter for your personal growth, but they each bring different things to the table in terms of scope, timing, and impact.

Short-term goals

• Timeframe: Typically ranges from a few days to a few months.
• Scope: More focused and specific, often related to immediate tasks or projects.
• Impact: Provide a sense of accomplishment and build momentum towards larger goals.

Short-term goals are the small steps we take to move closer to the grander ambitions of our futures.

Long-term goals

• Timeframe: Span months, years, or even decades.
• Scope: Broader and more encompassing, often involving multiple steps and complex plans.
• Impact: Shape our life trajectory, careers, relationships, and overall well-being.

Long-term goals help us figure out where we want to go in life and give us a sense of purpose. They motivate us to keep going, even when we hit rough patches, by encouraging us to learn and improve.

While they're undeniably distinct, short-term and long-term goals are inherently interconnected. Short-term goals are those stepping stones necessary to realize much bigger achievements. Each small win keeps us motivated, builds our confidence, and gives us helpful insights as we aim for our grander ambitions.

For instance, let's say we're talking about climbing a mountain: the long-term goal is to reach the summit, but it's the series of short-term goals – setting up camp, acclimating to the altitude, conquering each ridge – that will ultimately get us there.

Why are long-term goals important?

Long-term goals really help us make decisions and keep us motivated on the path to a more fulfilling future. And they play a big role in shaping different parts of our lives:

• Purpose & direction: Long-term goals give us a sense of purpose, a reason to get out of bed each morning. They provide direction, helping us navigate life's complexities with intention and focus. Ultimately, knowing where you're headed makes it easier to make decisions that align with your ultimate vision.
• Motivation & resilience: Working towards a meaningful long-term goal fuels our motivation. It provides the drive to overcome challenges, persevere through setbacks, and stay committed to the journey. The anticipation of achieving something significant can keep us going even when the road gets tough.
• Personal growth & development: Chasing long-term goals often nudges us to venture beyond our comfort zones, picking up new skills and developing fresh strengths along the way.
• Increased productivity & focus: When we have a clear vision for the future, our daily actions become more purposeful. Long-term goals help us prioritize tasks, allocate resources effectively, and avoid distractions that don't contribute to our ultimate objectives.
• Enhanced decision-making: Long-term goals act as a filter for our choices. They help us evaluate opportunities and make decisions that are in alignment with our long-term vision, rather than simply reacting to immediate circumstances.
• Greater sense of accomplishment: Eventually, when you do pull off a long-term goal, you'll experience a deep sense of achievement and fulfillment. These accomplishments serve as a testament to your dedication, perseverance, and ability to transform our dreams into reality.
• Positive impact on well-being: Research has shown that working towards meaningful goals can have a positive impact on our mental and emotional well-being. It can boost self-confidence, reduce stress, and increase overall life satisfaction.

How to set & achieve long-term goals

Working towards long-term goals involves having a clear vision, creating a solid plan, and staying committed. Although the road to success might have its twists and turns, there are established principles and practices that can greatly enhance your ability to make your dreams come true.

If your goals include advancing your career, starting a family, exploring the world, or enhancing your overall fulfillment, the steps outlined here can help you effectively set and achieve both personal and professional ambitions.

1. Start with the “why”

Before diving into the specifics of your long-term goals, take a step back and explore your "why." Why do you want to achieve these things? What underlying desires, values, and passions are driving your ambitions?

Understanding your "why" is the foundation of effective goal setting as doing so will help you:.

• Set the right goals: When your goals are aligned with your core values and motivations, you're more likely to stay committed and persevere through challenges.
• Make better decisions: Knowing your "why" helps you evaluate opportunities and make choices that support your overall vision for the future.
• Find meaning & fulfillment: Goals that are rooted in your deeper values are more likely to bring you a sense of purpose and satisfaction when achieved.

Figuring out your "why" involves asking yourself big questions:

• If a genie gave you three wishes, what would they be?
• What does your ideal life look like in vivid detail?
• What values drive you?
• What are you passionate about?

Dig deep and be honest with yourself. Don't focus on what you think you should want or what might impress others. Instead, explore what truly excites and motivates you.

2. Define the goals

While understanding your "why" is the critical first step, it's not enough to simply have a vague notion of what you want to achieve. To turn your dreams into reality, you need to clearly define your goals.

Vague or ambiguous goals are difficult to pursue. They lack the specificity needed to create a plan and track progress. On the other hand, clearly defined goals provide a tangible target to aim for, making it easier to identify the necessary actions and measure your success along the way.

When defining your goals, consider the following:

• What specific outcomes do you want to achieve? Be as precise as possible. Instead of saying, "I want to be healthier," define it as "I want to lose 20 pounds and run a 5K race."
• What are the key milestones or steps involved? Break down your larger goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. This makes them less daunting and provides a clear roadmap for action.‍
• What resources or support will you need? Identify any tools, knowledge, or relationships necessary to your success.

As you define your goals, align them directly with your "why." Each goal should directly contribute to fulfilling your deeper motivations and values. This alignment will not only make your goals more meaningful, but it will also provide the intrinsic motivation needed to stay committed over the long term.

3. SMART goals

Long-term goals, by their very nature, can often feel abstract and overwhelming. They represent grand visions, significant transformations, and aspirations that may seem far removed from our current reality. This can make them difficult to grasp and even more challenging to pursue.

This is where the SMART goals framework comes in. SMART is an acronym that stands for:

• Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve.
• Measurable: Establish criteria for measuring progress.
• Achievable: Set goals that are challenging yet realistic.
• Relevant: Make sure your goals align with your overall values and long-term vision.
• Time-bound: Set a specified time frame for your goals.

If you're having trouble identifying SMART goals, try a little bit of reverse engineering. Start with your long-term goal and work backward, identifying the major milestones and actions required to reach it. Then, break down each milestone into smaller, SMART goals.

For example, if your long-term goal is to write a novel, your SMART goals might include:

• Complete a first draft within six months.
• Edit and revise the manuscript within three months.
• Submit the manuscript to a literary agent by a specific date.

At the end of the day, focusing on smaller, more attainable goals helps you keep up your momentum and build confidence as you work toward your ultimate ambition.

4. Form new relevant habits

Will Durant, writing about Aristotle, observed, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." There's a lot of truth to this when it comes to reaching those big goals you have. Our habits – those actions we perform consistently, often without conscious thought – shape our lives and determine our outcomes.

To make significant progress toward your goals, cultivate new habits that align with your desired outcomes. In making small, positive changes to your daily routines, you’ll create a foundation for long-term success. After all, just as a tiny seed can grow into a towering tree, so too can seemingly insignificant actions compound into remarkable results.

For example, if your goal is to write a book, committing to writing just 500 words a day can lead to a completed manuscript within a year. Or, if you want to improve your fitness, starting with a 15-minute walk each day can gradually evolve into a more rigorous exercise routine.

5. Find your motivation

Staying motivated over the long haul is often the most challenging aspect of achieving long-term goals. It's easy to start with enthusiasm, but as time passes and obstacles arise, that initial spark can dwindle. However, if you really understand what’s driving your motivation towards these goals,you can keep the fire burning bright.

Motivation comes in many forms, and what works for one person may not work for another.

• Reconnect with your why: Regularly remind yourself of the deeper reasons behind your goals. Why are these aspirations important to you? What impact will they have on your life and the lives of others?
• Visualize success: Create a vivid mental picture of yourself achieving your goals. Cheesy, we know, but if you imagine the emotions, obstacles, and rewards involved with your goal, you can better mentally prepare and stay focused.
• Set exciting milestones: A lack of motivation can often come from a failure to recognize progress. This is why you should break down your goals into smaller milestones and celebrate each achievement along the way. 
• Find an accountability partner or group: Share your goals with someone who can offer support, encouragement, and a gentle nudge when needed. Join a group or community of like-minded individuals who are also working towards similar goals.
• Reward yourself: Set up a system of rewards for achieving milestones. These don't have to be extravagant; even small treats or indulgences can reinforce positive behavior.

Still, motivation can fluctuate over time, and that's perfectly normal (also, keep in mind that motivation is different from discipline – another necessary component to goal achievement). Be kind to yourself, acknowledge your feelings, and be willing to adjust your approach as needed. If one strategy isn't working, try another.

Experiment and find what resonates with you personally.

6. Don't overcommit

In our eagerness to achieve success and transform our lives, it's easy to fall into the trap of overcommitting. We set numerous goals, each with its own set of tasks and demands, believing that more is always better. But this approach often backfires, leading to overwhelm, burnout, and ultimately, a sense of failure.

When we try to juggle too many priorities, we inevitably end up neglecting some, if not most of them. This not only leads to unfulfilled goals but also creates a sense of frustration and discouragement.

To avoid this pitfall, prioritize ruthlessly. Identify your most important goals – the ones that truly align with your values and aspirations – and focus your energy on those.

Ask yourself:

• Which goals will have the most significant impact on my life?
• Which goals are most aligned with my passions and values?
• Which goals are most realistic and achievable given my current resources and constraints?

Concentrating your efforts allows you to generate the space and energy necessary for making real progress on your top priorities. This doesn't mean letting go of other goals altogether; it just means acknowledging that you can't tackle everything all at once.

7. Put it on the calendar

To accomplish any long-term goal, you need to dedicate time to it. This may seem obvious, but it's a step many people overlook. While we intuitively understand the need to make time for our goals, it's easy for those aspirations to get lost in the daily shuffle of work, errands, and social commitments.

One of the main culprits of this problem is our calendar, or rather, how we use it. If your calendar is filled with meetings, appointments, and to-dos but lacks dedicated time for your goals, it's no wonder you're struggling to make progress.

To give your goals the attention they deserve, you can adopt the practice of time blocking. This means scheduling specific blocks of time on your calendar for activities directly related to your goals. Treat these blocks as non-negotiable appointments with yourself.

However, it's not enough to simply schedule time for your goals, you'll have to defend your time too. This means saying no to distractions, interruptions, and requests that don't align with your priorities. It also means setting boundaries with others and communicating your commitments clearly.

You can use tools like Reclaim.ai to automatically find the best time for your tasks, habits, meetings, and even breaks to help you stay on top of your work, personal, and even wellness goals. This AI calendar app even tracks your time so you can analyze your progress and stay on point for your goals.

8. Stay flexible, adaptable

As the saying goes, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." No matter how meticulously you plan, unexpected challenges and detours are inevitable on the road to achieving your long-term goals.

As you work towards your goals, be prepared to adjust your approach as needed. If a particular strategy isn't working, don't be afraid to pivot and try something new. If an unexpected obstacle appears, find creative solutions to overcome it.

Setbacks are not failures; they are valuable learning experiences. When you encounter obstacles, take a step back and analyze what went wrong. What can you learn from this experience? How can you adjust your strategy to avoid similar setbacks in the future?

Staying flexible doesn't mean abandoning your goals. It means being open to adjusting your methods, timelines, and even your expectations as circumstances change. It means embracing the unknown and trusting in your ability to adapt and overcome.

9. Track your progress

Want those big goals to actually happen? You've got to keep tabs on how you're doing. Tracking your progress is like fuel for your long-term goal engine. Seeing those small wins along the way keeps you motivated and reminds you that you're actually making a difference.

But it's not just about cheering yourself on. Tracking gives you a chance to step back, analyze what's working, and adjust your course if needed. And let's not forget the fun part – celebrating those milestones! It's a way to acknowledge your hard work and keep the momentum going.

Tracking your progress doesn't have to be complicated. Just find something that clicks for you personally.. If you're a pen-and-paper person, grab a journal or diary and jot down your goals, the steps you're taking, and how you're feeling along the way. For the tech-savvy, there are tons of apps out there like Reclaim.ai, Strides, or Habitica that can help you monitor those goals and even give you little reminders to stay on track. 

Spreadsheets or charts might be your jam if you're more of a numbers person. Or, get creative with vision boards, progress bars, or any other visual aids that help you picture yourself achieving those big dreams.

10. Be patient & persistent

Long-term goals, by definition, require a long amount of time and dedication. They are not sprints, but marathons – demanding patience, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment.

Progress may not always be linear or immediately apparent. There will be setbacks, plateaus, and moments of doubt. It's easy to become discouraged when results don't materialize as quickly as we'd like. However, it's precisely during these challenging times that patience and persistence become paramount.

Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither are most worthwhile endeavors. Great achievements are often the result of countless small steps taken consistently over time.

While it's natural to focus on the end goal, it's equally important to embrace the journey itself. Each step you take, each challenge you overcome, and each lesson you learn brings you closer to your destination.

When you encounter obstacles or setbacks, don't let them derail you. Instead, use them as opportunities to learn, grow, and become more resilient. Remember, every successful person has faced challenges along the way. They can persevere that ultimately sets them apart.

20 examples of long-term goals

Long-term goals can touch on all parts of our professional and personal lives, helping boost our well-being and sense of fulfillment. Here are some realistic goals in different areas to inspire your own dreams:

Personal long-term goals

• Physical health: Run a marathon, achieve and maintain a healthy weight, learn a new sport.
• Mental health: Improve stress management skills, practice mindfulness regularly, start therapy.
• Learning & growth: Learn a new language, earn a degree or certification, read 50 books a year.
• Relationships: Build stronger connections with family and friends, find a life partner, start a family.
• Travel & adventure: Visit every continent, backpack through Europe, live abroad for a year.

Professional career long-term goals

• Career advancement: Earn a promotion, start your own business, improve your work-life balance, transition to a new career plan.
• Skill development: Master a new programming language, become a public speaking expert, learn project management.
• Entrepreneurship: Launch a successful startup, form an LLC, grow a small business, create a passive income stream
• Leadership: Learn about personal finance, create a budget, invest in stocks, real estate, or options trading for beginners.
• Networking: Build a robust professional network, attend industry events, cultivate relationships with mentors, or collaborate with peers in your field.

Financial long-term goals

• Saving & investing: Build a retirement nest egg, boost your savings account balance, save for a down payment on a house, create an emergency fund.
• Debt management: Pay off student loans, eliminate credit card debt, become mortgage-free.
• Wealth building: Achieve financial independence, become a millionaire, generate passive income.
• Financial literacy: Learn about personal finance, create a budget, invest in stocks or real estate.
• Estate planning: Create a will, set up a trust, guarantee your family's financial security, or plan for generational wealth transfer.

Other long-term goals

• Environmental: Reduce carbon footprint, live a sustainable lifestyle, volunteer for environmental causes.
• Community: Volunteer regularly, make a positive impact on your community, run for local office.
• Creative: Write a novel, record an album, start a blog or YouTube channel.
• Spiritual: Deepen your faith, explore different spiritual practices, find a sense of purpose.
• Personal development: Learn a new language, travel to new places, or take up a new hobby to broaden your horizons.