Long Term Goals: Examples and Definition
They are one of the three types of goals, along with short term and life goals. When we talk about goals in general, we usually mean long-term goals. Our service, Goalposters, is also dedicated to such goals. Here, you can visualize your long term goals by creating posters for them and then track your progress.
If you need a detailed definition of a goal in general, I recommend reading the article "What Is A Goal". And this article focuses more on the difference between long term goals and the other two types.
Definition
Long term goals are bigger, more ambitious than short term ones. They take time, often several months, years, or even decades, to achieve. These goals require consistent effort, planning, patience and commitment. They guide your major life decisions and shape your future. But unlike life goals, they require a clear formulation, an end point, and a measurable outcome.
Difference From Other Types Of Goals
| Feature | Short term | Long term | Life goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timeframe | Days, weeks, or a few months | From six months to decade | Decades or even a lifetime |
| Purpose | Immediate progress | Sustained achievement | Life vision |
| Measurability | Simple, no need to measure | Requires a plan and objectives | Abstract |
| Recurrency | Time-bound with clear deadline | Time-bound with clear deadline | Ongoing |
Examples
Here are some examples, grouped by area of life.
Health:
- Maintain the same weight next two years
- Reverse a chronic condition through lifestyle changes over the next 3 years
- More health goals ->
Career:
- Build a personal brand and become a thought leader in your industry
- Get promoted to executive-level management within 10 years
- More career goals ->
Education:
- Complete a PhD by age 35
- Learn three foreign languages in the next 7 years
- More education goals ->
Finance:
- Save $500,000 for retirement in the next decade
- Be debt-free within 5 years
- More financial goals ->
Personal Growth:
- Read 100 influential books over the next 5 years
- Travel to 25 countries by age 40
Why Long-Term Goals Matter
1. Direction and focus. They give us a sense of direction. They answer the question: Where do I want to be in 1, 5, or 10 years? When we know where we’re going, we can make better decisions about how to spend our time, energy, and resources.
2. Motivation over time. Long-term goals provide a reason to keep pushing forward, even when we face setbacks. They help us see beyond short-term discomfort and stay committed to our bigger vision.
3. Personal growth. The process of working toward long-term goals challenges us to grow. We learn discipline, develop resilience, and acquire new skills over time.
4. They shape your priorities. When you know your long term goal, it’s easier to decide what matters now. It helps you say "yes" to things that align with your vision and "no" to things that don’t.
5. They inspire commitment. A powerful long term goal pulls you forward. It becomes your "why", the deeper reason you put in the work, stay disciplined, and keep going when it’s tough.