The whole purpose of setting goals to measure one’s success/returns with respect to time. One always has good short-term goal value returns in any investment/input when it’s new, innovative and interesting. Then come the stage between the short term and long term which I refer to as mid term. The point is that never target or measure on mid term goals*. The value of returns versus time is roughly as follows. Never get bogged down if your goal value decreases after a high short term success. This is a part of cycle and will yield high long term goals with your continued efforts and investment. The point to remember is, never target or set mid term goals.
* Startup SIG: Secrets of Silicon Valley's Master Networkers, Auren Hoffman, RapLeaf, SAP Labs Palo Alto, CA