Why Seniors Hesitate to Plan Long-Term Goals

As a 71-year-old still very much interested in living well and enjoying the years ahead, I’ve noticed an exciting challenge I never anticipated: planning for the future doesn’t come as easily as it used to.

We hear a lot about the importance of long-term goals, but when you’re a senior, that idea can feel uncertain and even intimidating. Yet, I’ve come to believe that setting goals and looking forward has real value, even if there are a few mental and physical obstacles to work through.

The Hesitation Factor: Why Long-Term Planning Feels Different Now

Planning for five, ten, or even twenty years ahead feels natural when you’re younger. But in our 70s, time has a different meaning. We’re no longer looking at endless decades, and that can bring up a natural hesitation to set big goals.

The old joke goes I’m so old I don’t even buy green bananas.

I plan one day at a time, making small changes daily to move toward long-term goals.

What if our health changes? What if our energy or resources don’t support those plans down the line? A bit of fear here feels unique to this stage of life.

One common reason many people hesitate is worry about energy levels. We may not feel the same spark we did a decade or two ago.

We might get a little more tired, our bodies might ache a bit more, and the thought of tackling big goals or new plans can feel like it requires more energy than we’re ready to give.

Another big reason is that life has simply become unpredictable. Health can change unexpectedly, and our financial situation may look different than it once did.

The temptation to take it daily instead of planning for years ahead can be strong, and it’s easy to understand why so many seniors avoid big plans altogether.

Embracing Realistic, Flexible Goals

One thing I’ve learned is that goal-setting at our age doesn’t need to look the same as it did when we were younger.

Instead of big, rigid plans, I’ve found that it helps to focus on flexible, realistic goals.

Planning for the next year instead of the next decade makes things more manageable. Think of goals that can adapt to the ups and downs life might throw your way.

For example, I’ve started setting goals around health and mobility, things I can work on every day that will make my life better regardless of how many years they give me.

My primary health goal is to control my diabetes through diet and exercise and to eventually get rid of medications.

Goals like walking a little bit further each week, keeping up with doctor’s appointments, or working on balance exercises are all things within my control, and they’re easier to envision than big, distant plans.

Overcoming Fear with Small Steps

Fear of the unknown can make us hesitate, but one way to work through it is by setting small, achievable steps instead of big leaps. I don’t need to commit to hiking a mountain if I want to stay active. Instead, I can start by walking around the block more each week. If I want to stay connected socially, I don’t need to start traveling the world, but I can commit to having coffee with friends once a week or volunteering locally.

These small steps allow us to stay engaged without fear of failure. They allow us to keep moving forward at a comfortable pace.

Building Confidence and Finding New Energy

Some days, I wonder if I’ll have enough energy to do what I want in the years ahead. But I also find that doing even a little each day builds confidence.

When I meet small goals, I feel stronger and more energized, even if it’s something as simple as a few minutes of stretching or reading a chapter of a new book.

One thing that helps is to focus on what we enjoy. Sometimes, simply following our interests can lead to fulfilling goals we might not have imagined.

Hobbies, learning something new, or spending time with family can be powerful motivators that give us purpose without feeling like “work.”

Reframing Long-Term Goals as Legacy Goals

Finally, the idea of leaving a legacy has helped me think about long-term goals without stress. Legacy doesn’t mean grand gestures; it can be as simple as writing stories for your grandchildren, organizing family photos, or planting a garden.

These things may continue beyond our years and don’t rely on having perfect health or finances. Focusing on these goals can help us stay positive and purposeful, knowing we’re contributing something meaningful.

A New Way Forward

For those of us in our senior years, long-term planning doesn’t have to involve setting ambitious, far-off goals that feel daunting. Instead, it can involve the joy of small, meaningful actions that contribute to our well-being and happiness, even in uncertain times.

We can keep moving forward without putting pressure on ourselves to do it all. After all, the goal is simply to live well, enjoy what we have, and leave a little something behind that matters.