Criteria for Long-Term Goal Setting Your long-term goals need to be: Conceivable (you can put them into words) Believable (you are sure they can be reached) Achievable (you have the strengths, energy, and time to accomplish them) Measurable (you will know when you have reached them) Desirable (you want them) Plan short-term and long-term goals. For example, your short-term goal may be taking a minimum-wage job while simultaneously pursuing postsecondary education in preparation for a career. A long-term goal takes much more time to reach. For example, if your long-term goal is to become a doctor, then you need to set aside eight years out of your life to pursue a medical career. Identify your goal, then list steps that will enable you to reach it. Intermediate steps should be listed on a minuscule basis. In as fine a detail as possible, list every step necessary for you to reach your goal. Include any necessary course work, training, and preparation that might be required. Goals are more effective when they are periodically evaluated to determine if they are realistic and attainable, and modified whenever necessary.