Too Many Short-Terms = One Bad Long-Term

Let me guess… you put off vacation until next month or quarter or year. You didn't make that one purchase because it’s "just not the right time."  You didn't try for that job (or promotion) because you "just weren't sure if it was something you wanted."  To most people, these instances sound familiar.  However, those same people can usually answer the question, "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"  Now whether or not this is about your job, your family or your physical location – it might be a 5-year plan to get there.  Deferring plans to the short term will certainly make those 5 years go by quickly and still not make it to where you wanted to be.

That same mentality is pervasive in the business world as well.  Reacting to short-term stimulus, putting off a new project, waiting to "see what happens." All of these instances are short-term focused and end up giving you one bad (and delayed) long-term plan.  Your long-term plan ends up being a laundry list of jumbled together, short-term reactions. Short-term reactions that just never got to that long-term plan, maybe not even halfway…

Lesson learned?  Never let the short-term interfere with the long-term. Ask yourself, where will you be in five years? Where will your company be in five years? The next question you answer should be, "What are you waiting for?"