[Spearchucker]

A glass of wine per day is ok. Maybe even good. Two six-packs a day isn't. Anything is ok in moderation, and with full knowledge of both positive and negative effects. I have long-term objectives for sure, but avoid setting long-term SMART objectives for myself, because life happens. At work during the annual review I set SMART objectives as required, but completely ignore if not forget them during the rest of the year.

Short term is another story. Every evening I decide exactly what I want to accomplish during the next 24 hours, always looking at how what I'm planning for the day aligns with my longer term objectives. That's been crazy useful to me.

Amusingly, that sentiment has a middle ground which I apply to software development projects - I live and die by a project's vision/scope, which is really an objective for a project.

[dsirijus]

Agreed on all points, and I'd like to add some numbers that worked for me - keep about 5-10 long-term objectives. Make one of them taking care of your health (exercise, nutrition), one taking care of your mental health (mostly work/rest/socialize balance), and invest in your knowledge/skills. Currently, I have 5 more (finish project #1, #2, #3, make company profitable, move out of country).

Additional point I'd like to make is - know thyself. You simply cannot set goals on some wishful thinking and other randomnesses. While glass of wine per day is ok, you might better be off without any, or you might need a bottle of wine a day to manage your cholesterol level (stretching the metaphore).

Also, props for planning out the next day in evening - makes sleep and the start of next day so much more pleasurable experience.