We are likely to defer working a task which is due later than the one that is due now. We put a singular focus on that task to make sure it is done.

While this is good, the focus on the short term can affect long-term goals if we are not careful. What, then, should one do?

Instead of fighting it, we could break the long term goal down into a series of steps, each with a deadline which is close enough to keep us on track. That way, we can leverage the same deadline rush to achieve both short and long-term goals.