- Earn a new certificate or degree. …
- Improve your performance numbers. …
- Improve your networking and communication skills. …
- Change your job. …
- Improve your work-life balance. …
- Waste less time during work hours. …
- Make a website for yourself. …
- Communicate with your coworkers more.
Types of short-term goals for work
There are various work-related short-term goals that can either directly or indirectly advance your career. They can be:
Career short-term goals
These objectives generally consist of small changes and adjustments that make you more productive and will have a direct positive impact on your professional life. They could be as simple as making sure you arrive at work 10 minutes early each day or maintaining a tidy and organized desk. Other specific short-term objectives for work include improving communication with coworkers and clients, expanding one’s network, and obtaining additional professional specializations.
Financial short-term goals
Setting short-term financial goals, though not necessarily related to work goals, will probably improve your long-term professional outlook by giving you more control over your income. Long-term achievements can result from achieving short-term objectives like lowering or eliminating credit card debt, setting aside a specific portion of your monthly income for savings, keeping better track of your budget, or learning how to invest.
Academic short-term goals
Numerous improvements to your life and career can result from increasing your education. Academic success can open up new career opportunities that can assist you in achieving your long-term professional objectives. Your professional long-term prospects are likely to be improved by choosing to enroll in a course that is applicable to your line of work and creating mini-milestones to help you monitor your progress.
Health short-term goals
Being energetic and healthy is typically a key component of professional success. As a result, both in your personal and professional lives, it can be very important to improve your overall health and fitness. You can get the energy and confidence you need to accomplish your long-term goals by simply making a commitment to regularly exercising, getting more sleep, or cutting out unhealthy foods from your diet.
Why are short-term goals for work important?
The majority of the time, short-term professional goals are modest objectives that you set for yourself with the intention of eventually achieving your long-term career objectives. Short-term goals not only help you break down a challenging goal into smaller, more manageable ones, but they also help you stay motivated as you work toward achieving larger, more long-term goals. By setting smaller goals, you can maintain your attention on the next objective.
14 examples of short-term goals for work
Here are some of the most pertinent examples of short-term goals for the workplace:
1. Earn a new certificate or degree
Almost all professional fields undergo gradual change as a result of new technology and methods of operation. This is why constant learning is an important short-term goal. Your career prospects are likely to improve and you’ll have an advantage over the competition if you take a postgraduate course or obtain any other relevant education.
2. Improve your performance numbers
The objective of improving your work metrics, such as the caliber, quantity, and efficiency of your output, is probably the most obvious professional short-term goal because it directly contributes to your professional development. Your performance metrics will vary depending on your profession and the organization that hired you, but they are typically connected to raising customer satisfaction, completing all projects by the deadline, and cutting costs. Working on these metrics consistently will position you well to accomplish a long-term objective like getting a promotion.
3. Improve your networking and communication skills
Reaching out to relevant professionals in your field of work and learning how to communicate can both potentially aid you in achieving your long-term career objectives. By networking, you can make valuable contacts in your field that could lead to new opportunities. You must work on your communication skills to make the most of networking opportunities and successfully connect with the right people. Enhancing your communication abilities will likely help you better coordinate with your coworkers and be more of a team player, in addition to making networking more effective.
4. Change your job
One can also think of finding a new job as a short-term professional objective. There are times when a job or organization won’t be able to help you advance your career. You can improve your motivation and drive to succeed by switching jobs, which will ultimately help your career prospects.
5. Improve your work-life balance
Finding the ideal working-life balance is crucial for your quality of life and, if done well, will have a positive effect on your health, wellbeing, and productivity at work. Finding a work-life balance that will allow you to pursue your professional goals while maintaining your health and mental wellbeing should therefore be a priority.
6. Waste less time during work hours
The effort you put in and the outcomes you produce during working hours can add up over time and pave the way for you to accomplish your long-term goals. You can increase your productivity and the amount of work you get done during the time you spend at work by making a plan to cut back on time-wasting activities like Internet browsing and socializing with friends and family.
7. Make a website for yourself
Making a personal website is a quick and efficient way to highlight your professional background and abilities. It could be helpful in a variety of circumstances, such as when applying for new jobs or gaining more respect at work.
8. Communicate with your coworkers more
Good communication and interaction with your coworkers is likely to increase your chances of career success because the majority of professional jobs and roles are part of a larger team effort. Make an effort to speak with them and engage with them whenever you can, like during lunch breaks or at work events.
9. Get to work earlier
A short-term objective that could boost your long-term career prospects is showing up just 15 minutes earlier each day for work or other events. When there are fewer people around, it’s not only simpler to concentrate and plan your day, but you’ll also project an image of someone who works hard and is dedicated.
10. Organize your workstation
Maintaining a clean and organized workspace can greatly increase your productivity and mood. Additionally, it will demonstrate to others your high level of organization.
11. Read more
No matter what field you work in or what position you hold, things are probably always getting better. Therefore, you can always find new things to learn. Make an effort to read at least one book about work each month. The recently learned information will grow over time and eventually turn into a professional asset.
12. Get familiar with new technology
Every industry experiences ongoing technological advancements, and being aware of those that are taking place in your field of work may help you perform better in the future. Look for websites that provide information on such industry developments, and visit them frequently to stay up to date.
13. Start a personal project
Working on a hobby or side project in your free time that you’re passionate about can benefit your career. A side project will probably keep you inspired and upbeat, which will help you deal with challenging work situations.
14. Observe your coworkers
Try to pay close attention to how your coworkers handle particular workplace situations, especially those with more experience than you. You might learn new techniques from this, but you’ll also gain a better understanding of the office’s hardest-working and most productive employees.
Short Term Goals Definition and Examples
FAQ
What are your short term goals?
Any objective you can complete in a year or less is considered short-term. Examples of short-term objectives include developing a morning routine, quitting smoking, reading two books per month, and exercising twice a week.
