It’s coming towards the end of another very busy year. Everyone has worked hard and most of us will be looking forward to having some time off over the Christmas period. But it’s always good to make sure you have a jump start on the new year before it arrives. Setting your goals for the next year is a great way to get into the mindset of a new year and keep pushing to progress in your professional life.
What are career goals?
Career goals are an important part of any successful career path. They give you a sense of direction and purpose to work towards, while also providing motivation and focus when faced with any sort of setback or challenge.
When developing your own personal career goals, it’s important to be realistic about what you can achieve – both in terms of timeline and level of ambition. Start by assessing your current skill set, experience, qualifications and interests so you can identify which areas need improvement or development. Then set incremental targets for yourself so that each step along the way will gradually lead you closer to reaching your ultimate goal.
It’s also worth considering where you want your career to take you in the long term, as well as the short term. Think about the type of job you want to do and the specific skills, qualifications and experience that you’ll need in order to get there. You may also decide to pursue further education or training in order to achieve your desired career path.
In addition, it’s important to review your goals regularly so that you can adjust them according to changes in your personal circumstances or industry trends. By continually setting new goals and working towards achieving them, you will be able to stay focused on your long-term career objectives while still enjoying what you are doing each day.
Having a clear understanding of your own career goals will provide direction and purpose for both your present and future. So take the time to set yourself clear, achievable goals and you’ll be well on your way to achieving a successful and rewarding career.
What are smart goals?
Smart goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound objectives that provide a framework to help you achieve the outcomes you want. They identify what needs to be done in order to reach your goals and serve as an effective tool for gaining clarity on the direction of your project or initiative. Smart goals also provide motivation by enabling you to track progress and focus on the results that you’re striving towards.
Specific – Simple, sensible, and significant
It is important to have a clear and specific goal, otherwise you will not be able to focus your efforts or feel motivated to achieve it.
- Who is involved?
- What do I want to accomplish?
- Where is it located?
- Why is this goal important?
Measurable – Meaningful, motivating
It is important to have measurable goals so progress can be tracked and motivation can be maintained. Assessing progress helps to keep you focused, on schedule, and excited for what is to come.
- How will I know when it’s done?
- How many?
Achievable – Agreed, attainable
The goal should be realistic and attainable to be successful. It should stretch your abilities but still remain possible. When you set an achievable goal, you may identify previously overlooked opportunities or resources that can help bring you closer to it.
- How realistic is this goal?
- How can I accomplish it?
Relevant – Reasonable, realistic, results-based
It is important that the goal matters to you and aligns with other relevant goals. We all need support and assistance in achieving our goals, but it is important to retain control over them. Make sure that your plans drive everyone forward, but that you are still responsible for achieving your own goal.
- Does this seem worthwhile?
- Is this the right time?
- Does this match our other efforts/needs?
Time bound – Time-based, time limited, time-sensitive
Every goal needs a target date to focus on and work toward. This part of the SMART goal criteria helps prevent everyday tasks from taking priority over your longer-term goals.
- When?
- What can I do today?
- What can I do in 1 month?
By setting smart goals, you can transform vague aspirations into tangible action and steps that will lead to success. When developing a smart goal, it is important to ensure that each component works together and supports one another. For example, if the goal is too ambitious or unrealistic, then it may not be achievable within the specified timeframe. Likewise, if the goal is too vague or not relevant to your overall objectives, then it may be ineffective in helping you reach your desired outcome.
When creating smart goals, it is beneficial to break them down into smaller tasks and milestones. This can help you stay on track and remain focused on completing each step of the process. Make sure that each part of the goal is measurable so that you can track progress and evaluate success. Additionally, establish a timeline for completion so that you can plan accordingly and identify any potential roadblocks along the way.
By setting smart goals, you will have a clear roadmap for achieving success. With careful planning and dedication to your goals, you can move closer towards achieving your desired results. As you progress, take the time to acknowledge your accomplishments and celebrate each milestone achieved. With smart goals, you will be able to make meaningful progress towards achieving your desired outcomes.
Is goal setting worth doing?
When it comes to career success, setting goals is paramount. Goals are the cornerstone of any successful career and help you focus your efforts on what matters most. By having clear objectives, you’re able to prioritise tasks and create a roadmap that will lead you to success.
Goal setting provides motivation and inspiration to continue pushing forward towards career success. With each milestone met or goal achieved, you’ll have an added sense of accomplishment that can keep you going.
All in all, setting career goals is a powerful tool for career success. With clear objectives and milestones to hit, you’ll be more organised, motivated and successful in achieving your career aspirations. So take some time today to set career goals that will lead you towards career satisfaction!
If you want to learn more about how Whole Brain® Thinking and the HBDI® can help you and your organisation, have a look at how it works here or get in touch and we’ll help you find the right solution.
