Author: M. Akbar Omari
The importance of goal and goal setting in life (Part 3)
Types of Goals
After reviewing the key points and the importance of goal setting in the previous section, we now turn to the different types of goals that can undoubtedly pave the way to your success. It is important to know what kind of goal you are pursuing in life so that you can define the path to achieve it and plan accordingly.
Goals can arise in every aspect of our lives. To improve life, various categories of goals can be used. Below, we introduce goal classifications that can help organize your affairs and guide your life toward a desired path. Considering these categories when setting your objectives can enhance productivity, lead to success, and create balance in life.
Goals Based on Timeframe
Goals can generally be divided into three main categories based on their timeframe:
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Short-Term Goals
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Long-Term Goals
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Lifetime Goals
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Short-Term Goals
A short-term goal is one that you intend to achieve soon or in the near future. This type of goal helps you think about the actions you can take in the coming months or year to realize your dreams and objectives. Short-term goals often serve as smaller steps toward achieving larger goals.
For example, if your long-term goal is to buy a house in five years, a short-term goal could be saving a specific portion of your monthly income to purchase your desired home at the planned time. Here are some examples of short-term goals:
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Lose five kilograms in one month.
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Increase your income by 40% within six months.
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Attend five online courses within two months.
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Save some money for next year’s vacation.
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Read one book per month.
Setting short-term goals can provide a powerful motivation for effort and progress. The sense of accomplishment from completing each task and checking it off your list encourages you to pursue even greater successes.
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Long-Term Goals
Long-term goals refer to those objectives you intend to achieve in the future, but you must start taking steps toward them now. They are usually broader and require more time to accomplish.
Long-term goals can include achievements in personal life, family, career, education, health, and more. Here are some examples of long-term goals:
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Earning a PhD degree.
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Establishing a charitable organization.
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Securing your dream job.
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Buying a house.
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Saving for retirement.
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Mastering a new language.
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Migrating to another country.
Long-term goals connect you to bigger aspirations and help shape the direction of your life. Achieving them produces lasting and sustainable results. Imagine owning your dream home, where you can live comfortably and enjoy life at your own pace. Learn how to set your long-term goals and take steps toward success.
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Lifetime Goals
Lifetime goals are those objectives you aim to achieve throughout your entire life. These goals are closely connected to your dreams, visions, and long-term aspirations, and they can be pursued at any stage of life—youth, middle age, or old age. There is no limit to what you can set as a lifetime goal. Some examples include:
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Building a family and raising children in the best possible way.
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Achieving financial stability by the age of 40.
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Retiring at the age of 50.
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Providing nutrition for 2,000 underprivileged children before the end of life.
Here are additional examples that show lifetime goals can focus on any significant ambition:
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Hosting a television program.
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Excelling in a top field in politics, business, sports, or entertainment before the age of 35.
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Performing Hajj before 55 and traveling to different countries around the world.
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Health Goals
It is important to note that the most crucial goal in life is survival and maintaining good health. When you are physically and mentally well, you perform better in all other areas of life. Here are some health-related goals to consider:
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Walk 40 minutes daily.
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Avoid high-cholesterol foods.
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Maintain a regular sleep schedule.
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Quit smoking.
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Drink two liters of water daily.
