When we right-size our goals we often overestimate what we can do in the short term and underestimate what we can do in the long term.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Clay Banks

We often make the mistake of overestimating what we can accomplish in a short burst of time while underestimating the power of steady, consistent effort over the long haul.

Think about it: in a week or even a month, we may not see dramatic change, and that can leave us discouraged. But stretch the timeline out over a year, three years, or a decade — and those small daily steps compound into extraordinary outcomes.

Right-sizing our goals means being realistic about the short term while staying inspired by the possibilities of the long term.

It’s less about sprinting to quick wins and more about building momentum that carries us further than we imagined. Progress is a marathon — and the long view is where the magic happens.

EXERCISE:

Create a progress jar where every day you can add a marble or coin to a jar after completing a small tangible goal.

Over time, the growing collection will become a tangible reminder that small efforts add up. Consider reading Atomic Habits by James Clear to help you put this idea and many others into practice.