Is a promotion on your to-do list? Maybe you want to finally get the certification to make you an expert in your field? Whatever you have planned to do this year in your career, setting attainable goals will help your accomplishment. If you follow a consistent path towards your goals, there is nothing stopping you from attaining them.
Here are three tips to help you keep progress and reach your goals:
Accomplish Small Wins
When you think of your ultimate goal, it can seem a bit daunting. It can literally feel like you will never get there! One way to help wrap your mind around what you need to do is to break up your goal into short-term and long-term increments.
Decide what your long-term goal is first so you know where you are headed. You can then start thinking of short-term goals to get you moving in the right direction. I like the method of setting goals in 90-day increments. It keeps you on track to accomplish small wins and keeps your motivation high.
Update Your Career Plan
Creating a career plan with short-term and long-term goals is a great first step. To maximise your success, it is important that you review and update your plan on a regular basis. Be honest with yourself on your progress. If you are not on track to meet your goal, reflect on why. Figure out what to do differently and reset the goal to something more attainable.
Staying grounded and realistic is key to reaching your goals. If you set something too high and are unable to reach it, your motivation will likely take a hit. You may end up feeling too pressured and in the end, give up your goal completely.
Keep up the small wins to build momentum and make progress. It will be an awesome feeling to see where you were six months ago and all the success you have had.
Seek Out Resources
Feeling overwhelmed with all you need to get done? Don’t worry. There are tons of resources out there to help!
One effective and popular approach towards achieving any end objectives is based on S.M.A.R.T goal setting. To make sure that our goals are clear and achievable, each one of them should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time bound. Some experts have even expanded it to include other areas – SMARTER to include Evaluated and Reviewed. This site includes a video resource to explain the process from start to finish.
I am sure you know that most companies have a vision statement. It serves as the company’s roadmap, indicating what the organisation wants to become as well as the transformational initiatives leading to that specific direction. An intentionally crafted vision statement is at the heart of every successful business. Giving yourself a personal vision statement is helpful in guiding your life and providing the right directions in charting the course of your days. Many accomplished CEOS and entrepreneurs live by their personal vision statements religiously. You can check out Berkeley which offers a comprehensive guide to developing a career vision statement.
By creating a sustainable career plan that promotes motivation, you will make measurable progress. Regularly reviewing, re-assessing and updating your career plan will keep you grounded and on track. Use the resources today to get started on your plan and start on your new path today!