An example of a long-term goal is saving enough money over many years to buy a house.

What long-term goal means

A long-term goal is something a person plans to achieve over several years rather than days or months. It usually takes sustained effort and many smaller short‑term steps to reach it.

More long-term goal examples

• Earning a college degree or advanced certification.
• Building enough retirement savings to stop working comfortably.
• Paying off a large debt, like student loans or a mortgage.
• Reaching a significant fitness milestone, such as running a marathon.

These types of goals typically require multi‑year planning and consistent progress.