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By: Bruce Burke

Last Updated: 6/1/25

Set Better Goals by Starting with Your Long-Term Vision

Goal setting can be tricky. To be successful with your shorter-term objectives, you must first have a clear vision of your longer-term goals. These goals can be considered the “end game” and should lead to greater personal and professional satisfaction.

Set better goals by starting with your long-term vision. When you know who you want to become, your goals become more meaningful, more focused, and more likely to drive lasting change. This week, we’ll focus on how to create effective long-term goals by connecting them to the person you aspire to be.

A few initial points to consider:

  • Develop a vision for yourself. Having a vision of who you aspire to be creates direction and adds power to your goals. It also makes the outcomes more sustainable.
  • Set goals high enough to stretch yourself and grow, but not so high that you set yourself up for failure.
  • Create goals that are both attainable and sustainable.

It’s also important to examine why you want to accomplish a goal. A common example: going on a diet to lose weight. That’s great—but ask yourself why. Is it to look good in new clothes or feel more confident during the summer? There’s nothing wrong with those motivators, but are they sustainable?

Often, we cross the “finish line” of a short-term goal and lose motivation because the goal wasn’t rooted in a deeper vision.

A more powerful approach is to tie your goals to your personal identity. For instance, if you aspire to be a strong, present parent, your fitness and nutrition goals take on a different kind of meaning. They’re no longer just about appearance—they’re about being a healthy role model. That deeper “why” fuels long-term commitment.

Create a Personal Mission Statement:

Developing a Personal Mission Statement is an excellent way to capture your vision and begin walking it out. You can use it as a guide to create truly meaningful goals. It also provides focus and motivation throughout the year.

Your mission statement should answer two key questions:

  1. Who do you aspire to be (your character)?
  2. What do you want to accomplish?

 
There’s no one right way to write your statement, but here are some tips to get started:

  • Identify someone you admire. What values do they represent? What about them inspires you?
  • Imagine your legacy. Picture your funeral: What do you hope people say about your life, your character, your impact?
  • Write freely. Don’t worry about perfect grammar. Just get your thoughts out.
  • Edit until inspired. Keep working until your statement feels true, authentic, and energizing.

Once you’ve clarified who you aspire to be, let that vision guide your goal setting. Every goal you create should bring you one step closer to that person.