Medium-term goals - I achieve most of my medium-term goals

Introduction

Medium-term goals help us stay focused on our long-term goals. Our meso goals are used to measure progress toward achieving our long-term macro goals. These goals usually take between one and five years to complete. They can be seen as stepping stones to reaching the biggest goals for our career. 

Benefits of medium-term goals

1. Keeps us motivated towards the long-term macro goals for our career.

2. Provides us with a way to measure progress towards our long-term macro goals.

3. Gives us information on how to plan our short-term micro goals for our career. 

Skill example

I will need to complete at least five shows to possibly get sponsorship for an online television station. This means that I will need to 1. find five people who have an interesting story and are happy to be on the show. 2. identify five people, prepare a script and film their shows in the next two years. 3. this will help potential sponsors to see the importance of such a show. 4. the shows will be recorded in studio and also on the job with these people. 5. this goal will be achieved with the film crew and the people who will be on the show. This goal is SMART because it is specific as it includes five shows. It is measurable as I can see if five shows have been completed. It is achievable as five shows in two years gives enough time to plan and complete five shows. It is realistic as five shows in two years allows for about five months for each show. Finally, the goal is time-bound as I have given myself two years to complete it. 

Shaun’s story

Shaun is a 19-year-old who recently finished school. At present, he is taking a gap year trying to determine his interests and what he wants to achieve in his career. He lives with his now elderly grandparents who run a small shop in the community. While taking his gap year, Shaun continues to work in the shop helping his grandparents with packing shelves and assisting customers. During the year Shaun finds that he really likes assisting customers with finding solutions to their needs for tools and equipment. He speaks with his grandparents about his dream to increase the shops services to provide tools and equipment to assist people to maintain their homes.

His grandparents agree with him and together discuss the long-term goal of taking over and expanding the services. Shaun realises that he will need to understand how a hardware shop operates and what tools and equipment are needed most of the time. Shaun plans to go and work in a hardware store in town for two years so that he can learn about how to operate such a service.

How to set medium-term goals

Setting medium-term goals is an effective way to establish specific objectives that are achievable within a reasonable timeframe. Here are some steps to help you set medium-term goals:

1. Define the timeframe: Determine the timeframe for your medium-term goal. This could be anywhere from six months to three years, depending on your personal or professional development needs.
2. Identify your long-term goal: Consider your long-term goal and how your medium-term goal will contribute to achieving it. This will help you ensure that your medium-term goal is aligned with your overall vision.
3. Break it down: Break down your medium-term goal into smaller, manageable steps that you can take to achieve it. Consider what skills, resources, and support you will need along the way.
4. Set specific and measurable objectives: Set specific and measurable objectives that will help you track your progress towards your medium-term goal. These objectives should be realistic and attainable within the timeframe you have established.
5. Prioritize: Prioritize your objectives based on their importance and urgency. This will help you focus your efforts on the most critical tasks first.
6. Develop a plan of action: Develop a plan of action that outlines the specific steps you will take to achieve your medium-term goal. Include the resources, skills, and support you will need to make it happen.
7. Stay motivated: Stay motivated and focused on your medium-term goal by reminding yourself of the vision and the benefits it will bring. Celebrate your successes along the way and learn from your setbacks.

Remember, setting medium-term goals takes careful planning and effort, but it can help you achieve specific objectives that contribute to your overall success and fulfillment.