Every new year comes complete with a new set of goals, both personal and professional. While it can be difficult to maintain the motivation or achieve the goals you set out to tackle, there are certain things you can do to make the goal-setting process more successful. A large part of the process is actually in the planning phase. As you map out your career goals for 2022, consider doing these three things a little differently to really make a difference in your professional life next year.
Set Goals that Motivate and Inspire You
When it comes to evaluating your career path, it’s important to be honest about where you are and where you want to be. Setting smaller, achievable goals is a good tactic to get you through your workday or month, but you also need something big to aim for so that you are inspired in the long term. Set challenging goals that make you want to get out of bed in the morning, do your best work, and celebrate when you achieve your smaller goals. Focus on achievements that are important to you and that you will value in the long run, rather than just reasonable achievements that help you get your work done. Don’t focus on goals that are completely unreasonable or which have no clear path to achievement. But don’t sell yourself short by setting a goal that you have no vested interest in the outcome either. Make it a priority and go to work every day with that goal at the top of your mind.
Get S.M.A.R.T.
SMART goals are goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. This is particularly true for challenging goals, because this method helps you make sure you are committed and held accountable to your goals. Be specific about what you want to achieve with a particular goal. Make sure that you are able to measure your successes or failures in what you do throughout the year. Keep in mind that attainability is critical, especially for challenging goals, because if you give up on a big goal because it’s unrealistic, then you are less likely to be motivated toward other challenging goals. Make sure that your goal is relevant to your life and your work. And give yourself and your goal a schedule and stick to it.
Make a Plan and Write It Down
Writing down your goals helps to solidify them in your mind and in your life. It gives them a certain tangible and real place in your life. If you have a spot in your home or workspace where you turn to for inspiration, then that is a great place to keep a hard copy of your goals. This helps keep your challenging aspirations at the front of your mind.
Goals are little more than daydreams if you don’t have a plan to achieve them. Goal setting is a dynamic and constantly changing activity. You need to be able to think through the steps you need to take to achieve your goals and constantly evaluate your progress. Set up regular reminders and check-ins for yourself to make sure you are on the right track.
Success doesn’t just come to those who sit back and relax. Success is built on the stepping stones of effective goal planning and actions taken to achieve those goals.
For more tips on how to grow your career, connect with the recruiters at Bergman Brothers today and we’ll set you on the right path.
