It’s hard to accomplish a long term goal.  It takes patience, passion, and discipline.  I usually define a long term goal as a goal that takes 4 years or more.  For example, getting a college degree.

Most people have a desire to accomplish a long term goal.  From the time most of us were in grade school adults always ask “what do you want to be when you grow up”.  9 out 10 answers require accomplishing a long term goal.

Most kids never think of the patience, passion, and discipline it takes to accomplish a long term goal such as a career goal.  Most kids just think they can speak their goals into existence.  In fact, most adults do the same thing.  How often do you talk about a goal without putting any thought into the patience, passion, and discipline required to accomplish that goal? If you’re anything like me, too often.

How do you know when you’re ready to Accomplish a Long Term Goal?

As a matter of fact, many people set long term goals without any thoughts at all.  They may not even believe deep down in their heart that they can actually accomplish that long term goal.  Maybe they write their goals and talk about their goals with trusted friends and family, but then that’s it.

If you set goals without follow through enough times, it then becomes a habit.  Alabama’s former hall of fame football coach Bear Bryant once famously said:

The first time you quit, it’s hard. The second time, it gets easier. The third time, you don’t even have to think about it.

What’s more, it’s very easy to quit on yourself.  Much easier than quitting when someone important to you is counting on you.

That is why the best indicator that you’re ready to accomplish a long term goal is when you consistently meet your own self-imposed deadlines.  That’s it.

When you tell yourself and no one else that you will accomplish a goal by a deadline, and you meet that deadline come hell or high water, you are ready.  Compromising your personal deadlines is a recipe for failure.  When you can’t trust yourself to do what you said you were going to do, you can’t accomplish a long term goal.