The Power of Intense, Short-Term Goals
Ever been through an experience where you really focused on ONE area, and got big results in a short period of time?
A couple examples from my own life that come to mind are:
The summer after my sophomore year of college, I did a French immersion program in Quebec, Canada. I stayed with a French-speaking family, which forced me to speak French all. the. time. In six weeks' time my fluency skyrocketed. (I was thinking and dreaming in French!) This short, intense experience enabled me to bypass a year's worth of traditional college language study.
My husband and I used "gazelle intensity" (a term coined by Dave Ramsey) to pay off a mountain of student loan debt. In one year's time, this approach allowed us to free up over $1600/month (after taxes), because we no longer had loan payments.
These situations required intensity and focus, as well as a major lifestyle change. However, they were temporary. The time passed quickly, and it was so rewarding to see the progress that was achieved in a short season of life.
Long-Term Habits vs. Short-Term Bursts
I'm all about small, consistent changes over time. This is the basis of habit development, and it can lead to big results in the long run.
However, there's also something to be said for short bursts of focus and intensity, which can quickly propel you to a new level. A lot can be achieved in a short period of time, if you're willing to:
Focus.
Put in the work.
How to Get Started with a Short-Term Goal
Choose ONE area of your life that you would like to give extra focus to over the next 12 weeks (or whatever short-term time frame you choose).
Decide what weekly actions you will take during that time.
Schedule those actions on your calendar.
Envision how great it will feel to reach a new level of progress.
Here’s an example (my own short-term goal at the moment):
Area of focus - strength.
Weekly actions - follow a 12-week program that requires longer workouts and heavier weights than I'm used to.
Schedule - I realistically need to give myself 14 weeks to complete the program, given travel and other events happening during that time.
Vision - Increased muscle definition and strength. Feeling stronger and more confident.
Once you’ve done that, check out these three mindset shifts that can help you to be successful with short-term goals.
How About You?
I’d love to hear about a short-term goal of yours, and how you plan to achieve it. Please leave a comment below!
If you like tips/tricks to make healthy living simple, enjoyable, and sustainable, then I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter. This is where I share new posts and exclusive content!
This post was originally published on 6/14/21.
