15 Short-Term Goals for the Summer

Originally published on the I Earned It Blog.

Use these short-term goals to achieve your long-term plans!

Many long-term plans require achieving short-term goals to get to your end result. Here are 15 short-term goals to achieve your long-term objectives:

Health and Fitness

1. Move more. Adding extra movement to your day can be a great way to get fit and feel healthier. You can add movement to your every day activities by doing calf raises while cooking, doing a wall-sit while brushing your teeth, working out while watching tv, or standing while folding laundry.
2. Drink more water. Drinking water is vital to our health and helps rid our bodies of toxins and regulate temperatures, among other things. The Mayo Clinic recommends women drink 11.5 cups or 92 ounces of water daily and men drink 15.5 cups or 124 ounces of water daily. You can help yourself drink more water by using a refillable water bottle, setting reminders, drinking water with meals or even adding flavors to your water.
3. Increase your fruit and veggie intake. The U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests adults eat 1 ½ to 2 cups of fruits per day and 2 to 3 cups of veggies per day. You can increase your fruit and veggie intake by adding them to each meal, having them as snacks or making smoothies.

Financial 

1. Start budgeting. Creating a monthly budget can help you plan how much you can afford to spend and allow you to save money too. You can start budgeting by knowing how much income you earn each month and subtracting how much you pay for bills, groceries, etc. This allows you to account for all of your spending and put any leftover money into a savings account.
2. Get a savings account. Savings accounts are great ways to build your wealth. Savings accounts allow you to earn extra money on the money in your account. All savings accounts are different; for example, some are compounded monthly while others are annually, and some have higher interest rates, so be sure to research what will be the best for you.
3. Start investing. You can consider investing to make more money. You can invest in stocks, bonds, cryptocurrency, EFTs or mutual funds. If you’re starting to invest, consider getting help from a financial advisor.

Personal Development

1. Work on your time management. Time management is a crucial skill in today’stoday’s fast-paced world. A few ways to manage time are by making a to-do list ordered by the highest priority, creating reminders and setting timers for when to do things, and planning for daily delays and distractions.
2. Boost your self-confidence. Self-confidence is essential for personal and professional success. You can boost yours by celebrating your strengths and achievements, improving your weaknesses, challenging negative self-talk and replacing it with positive affirmations. Remember, self-confidence is a journey that takes time and effort to develop, but it is worth it.
3. Practice self-care. Self-care is essential for maintaining good mental and physical health. You can practice self-care by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, eating well, taking breaks, practicing mindfulness and connecting with others.

Work or Career

1. Learn a new skill. When learning a new skill for your career, choose one that interests you and is beneficial in your industry. You can join online courses, read articles and books, or ask an industry professional or mentor for help.
2. Update your portfolio or resume. Updating your portfolio or resume can seem daunting, but it’s essential to keep it current. Start by removing outdated information, adding or highlighting recent and relevant experiences, updating new skills and certifications and ensuring your information is concise, organized and doesn’tdoesn’t contain any errors.
3. Network with people in your industry. Networking can be a great way to build connections, learn new skills, and advance your career. To network, attend industry events, join professional organizations, connect with others on LinkedIn and similar platforms, or reconnect with those in your industry.

Relationships and Social Life

1. Schedule time to see friends and family. Scheduling time to see friends and family can strengthen relationships, improve trust and emotional support, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. Spending time together can be as simple as grabbing a coffee or watching Netflix.
2. Join a club. By joining a club, you can meet people who share your interests and passions. This can lead to the development of new friendships and connections. Joining a club can significantly broaden your social circle and improve your social life.
3. Improve your communication skills. Improving communication skills requires consistent effort and practice. You can actively listen, speak clearly and confidently, pay attention to nonverbal cues, and be open-minded.