How would you determine when short term or long term goals should drive a decision?

With experience and maturity, we improve our abilities to predict longer-term results of our actions We need to avoid short-term injury that lasts long-term, most of our decisions should be tailored to the long-term. As humans we have been given the smarts to look into the future. We should realize the potential by making good decisions for the long-term. Short-term goals should always be there to contribute to the success of long-term goals. If you expect to actually accomplish your long term goals then your short term goals set to reach the long term goals should drive your everyday decisions. Short term goals are more realistic to envision and accomplish, but they should be structured with your long term goals in mind. When a decision is made that is in conflict with your goals due to some desire for immediate pleasure or satisfaction, it is likely that none or few of your goals will ever be realized. Goals ultimately provide a path to follow in life. Everyday short term goals such as a to-do list are valuable in getting things done. Short term goals that are steps toward long term goals provide to-do lists for the long term goals, they are stepping stones. When should goals drive a decision? That depends on how important the goals are in your life. If a long term goal is to purchase a home and you need a down payment and extra money for decorating and furniture there is a monetary goal as well as an educational goal. If your daily life gets in the way of saving money for that home your long term goal of a down payment is either pushed further out or nonexistent.