Even goals that seem achievable at first can eventually take a back seat and get forgotten, which is why it’s important to set short term, mid term, and long term goals.
Mid term goals (goals that stretch beyond a few weeks but don’t take years), are tricky. Too vague, and they fade out. Too ambitious, and they wear you down.
Did you know that 92% of people fail to achieve their goals? A study by the University of Scranton found that only 8% of goal-setters actually reach their objectives. (Source)
This highlights the importance of setting clear, realistic goals and having a solid plan to follow through and achieve.
Let’s explore how to set mid term goals that you can stick to and achieve.
What Are Mid Term Goals and Why They Matter
Mid term goals are goals you plan to reach in about 3 to 12 months. They’re longer than short-term goals, like daily or weekly tasks, but not as far off as long-term goals that take years.
They help you move from where you are now to where you want to be later. For example, finishing a short course, saving for a trip, or building a new habit over a few months, all are mid term goals.
These kinds of goals play an important role. They connect your short-term actions to your long-term plans. Without them, it’s easy to feel like you’re either rushing or drifting.
Mid term goals matter because they:
- Turn big ideas into manageable steps
- Help you stay focused for a longer stretch of time
- Make it easier to track steady progress
- Give you room to adjust without starting over
A study by two psychologists – Edwin Locke and Gary Latham found that specific goals help people stay focused, try harder, and keep going longer.
So when your goals are broken into simple steps that feel doable, you’re more likely to finish them.
Mid term goals help you build real change one clear step at a time.
Signs Your Goals Might Not Be Realistic
Your Goal Feels Too Vague
If your goal is something like “be healthier” or “get more done,” it might be too open-ended. Vague goals don’t give you clear direction, which makes it hard to take action. You need something you can measure or define, like walking 30 minutes a day or finishing one task before lunch. The more specific, the better.
You Keep Putting It Off
When you delay starting over and over, it’s a sign something isn’t clicking. Maybe the goal feels too big. Maybe you’re not sure what the first step is. If your goal doesn’t feel doable right now, your brain will find reasons to avoid it. A realistic goal should feel like something you can begin today, even if it’s just a small step.
Progress Feels Discouraging
It’s tough to stay motivated when you’re not seeing results. But that doesn’t always mean the goal is wrong. Sometimes the steps are too big or unclear, so it’s hard to tell if you’re moving forward. Breaking your goal into smaller milestones can help you stay encouraged.
You’re Relying on Willpower Alone
Willpower fades, especially on busy or stressful days. If you don’t have systems in place, like routines, check-ins, or reminders, your progress depends too much on how you feel. The most consistent progress comes from habits, not just motivation.
How to Set Realistic Mid Term Goals That Stick
Start with One Clear Focus
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re juggling too many goals at once. Focus on just one mid term goal that feels most important right now.
Maybe you want to improve your health, grow a side project, or finish a personal task like decluttering your home.
Pick one and give it your full attention before moving to the next.
Make It Specific and Measurable
The clearer your goal is, the easier it is to follow through. “Improve my writing” is hard to measure, but “write one blog post every two weeks for the next three months” gives you something you can track.
With a goal like that, you’ll know if you’re on pace or falling behind, and that makes it easier to adjust.
Break It Down Into Smaller Steps
A mid term goal often feels big at first. Breaking it down makes it manageable. If your goal is to run a 10K in four months, start with short runs three days a week, then build up slowly.
Smaller steps help you stay consistent without feeling overwhelmed.
Choose a Timeline That Matches Your Pace
Be honest about how much time you can give. If your schedule is tight, don’t expect to spend hours each day on your goal.
Planning two 30-minute sessions each week for learning a new skill might be more realistic than daily practice if you’re working full-time.
Use Checkpoints to Stay Grounded
Checkpoints help you see where you are and what’s working. If your goal is to finish a short online course in three months, check your progress every two weeks. These pauses give you a chance to catch problems early and celebrate small wins along the way.
4 Ways to Track Progress and Keep Going
- Review Every 2–4 Weeks
Mid term goals take time, so regular reviews help you stay grounded. Every two to four weeks, set aside 15–30 minutes to ask yourself:
- What’s working well?
- What’s not getting done?
- What feels harder than expected?
- Do I need to adjust anything?
You don’t need big changes each time. Sometimes the review is just a reminder that you’re still on track.
- Adjust With Honesty
Not everything will go as planned, and that’s okay. If your timeline feels too tight or your steps aren’t working, change them. Be honest with yourself about what’s realistic now, not just what sounded good when you started.
- Learn to Pause Without Quitting
Burnout often starts when we keep going just because we said we would. Taking a break doesn’t mean the goal is over. It just means you’re giving yourself space to reset.
You can pause for a week, come back with fresh energy, and still finish strong.
- A Tool That Helps Without the Extra Work
Some tools make planning harder. Others help you stay organized without taking up more time. FlowSavvy is one of those tools.
FlowSavvy is an intelligent planning app that uses auto-scheduling, which means you enter your tasks, and the app builds your schedule for you. If you miss something or take longer than expected, it reshuffles your timeline for the day or week. You don’t need to drag things around or start over.
That kind of support can help you keep going, especially on the days when you don’t feel like managing all the details yourself.
Final Thoughts
Mid term goals help you move forward without feeling rushed or burned out. The key is to start with one clear focus, break it into steps, and check in regularly. When your goal matches your pace and has room to adjust, it’s much easier to stick with.
If you want a simple way to stay on track, try FlowSavvy. It builds your daily schedule for you and shifts things around when life gets busy so you don’t have to plan everything by hand.