Long-Term Projects

On 09/19/11 the group discussed considerations for working on long-term projects and goals. One group member pointed out the importance of differentiating "wish" from "goal." In his opinion, if you decide to do something "one day," it is more of a wish; while having a more concrete anchor in time ("by my 50's birthday, for example") sounds more like a goal.

The group agreed that when you work with a project that takes time to complete, you might want to start by thinking about how much far ahead you tend to plan for. Some members report that at various points of their life they would plan minute by minute - especially in time of crisis and instability, and at other times - in longer chunks. Once you establish how far ahead you usually plan for, you need to decide on a realistic time frame for your project to be accomplished. The group facilitator emphasizes the importance of "chunking" time in manageable pieces (be it one semester, or one month, etc.).

Group members also discussed the importance of reviewing your goals as you continue with the project. For example, you decided you want to go back to school, which usually takes some time to prepare for. It will be imp0rtant to check in with yourself in regards to whether you stay on track, as well as re-evaluation your goal to see whether it is still desirable (for example, asking yourself, Why do I have this goal on the first place?). If you decide that you still want to pursue your particular goal, you need to determine what is needed (supports and resources) in order to achieve it.

Group agreed that everyone is different in what amount of pressure is optimal for achieving the goal. While some people strive in high-pressure environment, others might find it too overwhelming. You need to determine how much pressure is optimal for you - by evaluating your past experiences and asking others for their opinion. Group members emphasized the importance of staying flexible (including about the outcome of the project), planning for the unplanned, and taking care of yourself in the process while you are working on the long-term project.

Group talked about the challenges of the long-term projects. Deciding when "enough is enough" and when to stop if you do not arrive to a desired outcome after putting some effort into the project might not be as easy for someone with the tendency to hyperfocus. Also, most people have significant others in their lives and balancing working on your long-term goals while maintaining satisfying relationships is not easy. The events in a "bigger world" (for example, the recession or country's economic growth) can hinder or accelerate you in achieving your goals. Finally, in the process you might get feedback from others, both positive and negative, and deciding what to take in and what not to can significantly alter how you approach your project.