It is important to look at the full picture when establishing new career goals. Since your job is a major part of your life, you want it to balance with your personal life as well. Furthermore, you want to make sure your professional goals align with your life goals. If you wish to travel more, then perhaps you want to negotiate more vacation time. If you want to buy a home, then you may have financial goals to reach.
SMART New Career Goals
You may have heard about SMART goals from your manager or leadership. It is vital to set SMART goals which stands for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time based. This is a simple formula that helps you stay on track in terms of setting realistic goals and measuring your progress. Setting goals just to set them is not very effective. Think through the big picture and determine if these goals will help you in your career path. Where do you want to be 3 years from now? How will these objectives help you on your career path? Does it align with your personal life objectives? Part of realistic goals, means you are not setting too many goals that may overwhelm you. Three to five objectives are a good achievable number to stick with.
Company Goals
The company may have goals that do not necessarily your own. Talk to your boss, share with her or him some of your new career goals so you can make this a joint process. (S)he may not know what your long-term goals are. It is important to start the dialogue. Your manager may have some great advice for you and can help you along the way.
Motivation
Knowing what you are working towards and setting a clear path will help you stay motivated. It will allow you to keep your eye on the prize so to speak. You may also want to partner with a buddy so you keep one another in check. It can be a friend, colleague or perhaps a mentor within your company. Someone you admire that understands you professionally will be a great choice.
Evaluate Your Progress
Regularly check in and see how you are doing. Perhaps you check with your boss every quarter for a short meeting. That way, if you are going off course, you have an opportunity to get back on track. Your boss can provide guidance. You also want to honestly evaluate yourself. You know what your strengths are and also know what you need to work on. This way you can maximize your strengths and turn around your weaknesses.
Achieving your career goals takes discipline. Sometime we get caught up in the day to day and forgot the big picture. Balancing work and your personal life can be a bit tricky. However, if you set your career goals while being mindful of your personal ones, it is a recipe for success. Take control of your career and your future. If you want something, you establish a plan with manageable goals and go after them. Wishing you much success and happiness in 2023.