Goal Setting For Career Success

You might be used to goal setting for work projects or fitness but when was the last time you proactively set actionable goals for your career progression? Most people put a lot of effort into looking for and securing a job but once that is done, planning for ongoing career success takes a back seat.

What Does Goal Setting For Career Building Look Like?

Setting goals for career building is more than just making a list of things you want to achieve. It should be a structured process that creates a roadmap for your career pathway. This roadmap includes milestones along the way and a range of short and long-term goals. Setting goals in this way is more than motivational. It provides clarity and direction as to where you want to go. Without these goals it can be easy to get lost in the opportunities and challenges that will come your way. Well thought out goals act as a compass and help you stay focused.

When you have clear objectives you are more likely to push through challenging times and stay committed to your desired outcomes, even when you feel like giving up.

With goals in place, making career decisions is easier - you can evaluate job offers, promotion prospects or career shifts better and make informed decisions. Plus when you achieve these types of goals you feel more motivated and confident. Each success reinforces belief in your abilities and makes you more resilient.

How To Plan And Stay On Track

A good place to start is to think about the end result - where do you want to be in 2 years/ 5 years/ 10 years from now? Pick a role that really excites you. It doesn't have to be your forever job but you need an end goal to work towards. If in a year or two you decide that you want to shift career or try something different, then just update your end goal. Once you have your end goal, it's time to reverse engineer - work backwards in order to set goals today that will build up your skills and experience to get you where you want to go. Whether they are technical skills or communication skills such as public speaking or networking, what small goal can you aim for in the next 3 - 6 months? Brainstorm smaller action steps that you can put into your overall road map.

Setting goals is a good start but ensuring you reach them takes effort, even with an amazing plan. Staying on track and remaining committed is the key. Working with a coach or mentor is very helpful if you are able to. There are tools that you can use to measure and review your own progress as well. Having a weekly habit of reflection and review can help increase your self awareness, boost confidence and make adjustments. Think about keeping a journal - either a physical paper journal or an online digital one. Similarly you can also use templates to help you brainstorm action steps and track your progress.

Summary

Setting career goals and creating a clear roadmap helps you gain clarity, stay motivated and make informed decisions that align with your aspirations. You also increase your self awareness, focus and confidence along the way - all critical elements for professional success. Remember, nothing is set in stone - you can always update and adapt your plans and goals - the important thing is to have a plan in the first place so that you have something to work with, otherwise you are just leaving your career to chance!

To get more in depth tips about career building skills take a look at my book Personal Brand Pathway.