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 How to Set and Achieve Career Goals in 4 Simple Steps

To set and achieve career goals, write down a clear outcome, set a realistic timeframe, break it into manageable actions, and review your progress regularly. Start small and adjust the plan when your circumstances or priorities change.

 

Every Monday we wake up and say ‘ok, this week is when I start my diet, or my gratitude diary or breaking an old habit’. We make plans, we think of different goals, we try to stick to them the best way we can. We may even purchase items such as new workout gear to help us to get on our way and succeed in our goals, however, after a few days or maybe even a few weeks, old habit come back and we fail…the saying ‘old habits die hard’ did not come from nowhere. Maybe a few weeks or a month later you will try again, maybe you will decide that you are just not able to do this new task or goal and give up.

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Why Career Goal Setting Can Be Difficult

So why did you fail? You may have started committing to your resolution/goal/change with no real plan and you are asking yourself to change major habits. On top of that, you force them upon yourself, believing they will either ‘improve’ you or make you happier in your life some how some way. However, if you are forcing your goals and unhappy doing them, surly the results cannot make you any happier at the end. Do not make goals for goal’s sake.

Why Are Realistic Career Goals Important?

Now, we are not saying not to have goals. Goals are important for us to have for the following reasons:

  • They help guide your focus and sustain momentum in your life
  • They provide you with clear direction and purpose
  • They give you a clear focus on what is important
  • They give you a strong sense of self-mastery
  • They help you manage, measure, and improve your end result
  • They provide a sense of personal satisfaction
  • They give you motivation and passion to get out of bed each morning

 

We can argue, these are all pretty strong reasons to have and set goals. So how do we make them not only stick, but turn into goals achieved?

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How to Set and Achieve Career Goals in 4 Simple Steps

Follow these simple steps and you are sure to be on your way to success:

Step 1: Write Down Your Career Goal

Write your goals on a paper or type them on in a Word or Excel document.

Step 2: Set a Target Date

Write your goals and set a date for when you want them to be achieved.

Step 3: Keep Your Timeframe Realistic

Make sure your timeframe is realistic, however, do not get overly stuck on the date itself. If it takes you a little longer than planned, that is ok as it is not when you get there, but that you get there.

Step 4: Start Small

Start with a few easy goals to reach – start small and build yourself up slowly.

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How to Achieve Career Goals by Starting Small

For example – your goal is to wake up at 6am and do a 45-minute workout every day. But you struggle to get up, let alone exercise and do it every day! Do some small changes each day to make your goals happen.

For instance – Goal 1. Wake up at 6am and drink some water in bed.

Do this for a week or two.

Goal 2. Wake up at 6am, drink some water and stretch your arms and legs in bed. Repeat this for a week or two.

Now you have set a habit that at 6am you are up drinking water and stretching. It does not matter if you go back to sleep, you have already started a new cycle. This part is now easy. Add a new goal.

Goal 3. Wake up at 6am, drink some water, get out of bed, and stretch your body. Do that for a week or two.

Goal 4. Wake up at 6am, drink some water, get out of bed, stretch your body and start your workout.

You may only have the energy to exercise for 20-minutes. That too is ok. Each week you can add an extra 5 minutes to the workout and before you know it, you are jumping out of bed at 6am, drinking water, stretching and doing a whole 45min HIIT routine.

Small steps and changes can lead to big results. But it is important to note, that these changes will only happen if you truly want them to happen. So think hard about your goals and what it is that you really want to achieve and be realistic with them. You will only fail if your heart is not in it, if you put too much pressure on yourself, and you try to bite more than you can chew in one go.

Remember, you are breaking big habits
to reach new goals – therefore, you need to
make small changes to make those goals work.

 

How to Set Career Change Goals

But what about goals to do with your career? What if your goal is a career change? Well, our steps to goal setting outlined above will not change. Write down what it is you want and then plan out the steps you will need to make to see those changes happen.

For example, if your goal is to change careers within 12 months, your smaller actions may include researching suitable roles, identifying your transferable skills, completing any required training, updating your resume and LinkedIn profile, and setting aside time each week for networking and applications.

It could mean you need to go back to study for re-skilling. Set a new goal for re-training. Take each step at a time; this way, you have broken down your goal into bite-sized pieces and you are working towards it, kicking one challenge at a time.

 

How to Review and Adjust Your Career Goals

Just remember to be kind to yourself. Life happens and it can stop or delay some goals from being achieved. So when you look back at the end of the year, measure your goals and analyse any that were not met. Perhaps they will be goals to follow you into another year, or goals you may need to redefine, re-work or remove from your list all together.

 

If you want us to help and be part of your new goal journey, we would be excited to join you on the adventure. We can help you identify the right career path, resumé re-work, interview skills, and update your socials to reflect the new career you.

 

My Career Angels

“If you can’t yet do great things, do small things in a great way.”

― Napoleon Hill

What are career goals?

Career goals are the things you want to achieve in your work life. This might include learning a new skill, getting a promotion, changing careers or finding a role that suits you better.

How do I set achievable career goals?

Start with a clear goal and write it down. Set a realistic timeframe, then break it into smaller steps. Make sure it is something you genuinely want, not something you feel pressured to pursue.

Why should I write down my career goals?

Writing your goal down makes it clearer and gives you something to come back to. It can also help you work out what actions, resources and time you will need.

How can I stay motivated while working towards a career goal?

Focus on one small step at a time and keep track of your progress. Acknowledge what you have completed, even if you are not at the end yet. If your situation changes, adjust your plan instead of giving up straight away.

What if I do not reach my career goal by the deadline?

Missing a deadline does not mean you have failed. Look at what slowed you down, decide whether the goal still matters to you, then set a more realistic timeframe or choose your next step.

How can I set goals for a career change?

Start by deciding which career direction you want to explore. Research what the role requires and identify any skills or experience you still need. You can then turn these gaps into practical steps, such as completing training, networking, updating your resume or applying for suitable roles.

Turn Your Career Goal Into a Practical Plan

Have a career goal but feel unsure where to begin? My Career Angels can help you clarify your direction, break it into manageable steps and build a plan that fits your circumstances. If your goal is a career change, we are ready to help you plan your next step.