12 Steps to Setting Career Goals You Can Reach This Year

Setting career goals consists of identifying clear objectives plus the steps needed to achieve them. The main reason people do not achieve ambitions is that they don’t set any.

If you go to work on your goals, your goals will go to work on you. If you go to work on your plan, your plan will go to work on you. Whatever good things we build end up building us. -Jim Rohn

To start, use the following 12 steps to focus your efforts and maximize your achievements.

1. Define your objectives clearly in writing. Writing down your objectives raises the likelihood of attaining your chosen goals by at least 75 %. It will increase your level of commitment, clarifies necessary actions in the achievement process, and helps you remember vital details.

• Name and concentrate on the advantages for you as well as others of attaining your goals. This is a huge motivator.

2. Define the intent of your ambitions. Link your goals to a practical, specific purposes. To strengthen your personal motivation, base your goals on inspiration, not just on pure logic.

3.Create an action plan, set deadlines and take action. List sub goals. Divide each main goal into logical progressive steps. Set deadlines for completing each step, and complete the steps on time.

• List priorities. Then take action in order of priority. If you are having trouble determining which actions should come first – ask a friend or mentor to help you.

4. List your supportive resources. Examples of supportive resources include instructors , books, education and learning, people who encourage you to persevere , experienced coaches or mentors , and printed as well as online reference materials

5. Make a public commitment. If appropriate, share your objectives with someone who encourages you to go the extra mile. This will raise your sense of accountability.

6. Be realistic about your limitations. For example, do not set a short term goal to get a new job that requires more training. Set separate goals to get an education, take an interim job, and then reach your ultimate goal.

7. Use positive self-talk and affirmation statements. Do this each and every day. Write down your statements and post them prominently in your bedroom, on your fridge, your desktop at work, and so that you can see them in the mirror in your car.

• Use positive visualizations. Imagine yourself having and enjoying what you desire. See yourself in the new office. Think about what it will feel like to see your name with your new title.

8. Practice. Practice. Practice. Practice new skills regularly. Get additional information, training, coaching and feedback on your progress.

9. Persevere. Be tenacious in pursuing your goals. It’s important to know when you need to change goals. But sometimes you just need to stay the course until you succeed.

10. Chart your progress. As simplistic as it seems, a long series of check marks on a calendar or a wall chart can actually, motivate you by providing a significant sense of achievement.

• Do not let missing an occasional daily goal deter you, however. Keep focusing on your final targeted goals.

11. Assess and revise your goals as required. Evaluate your ongoing development. Experiment from time to time with new approaches especially if you are not getting the results you would like. But most importantly remember to be patient. Rome was not created in a day. If necessary you can want to revise your goals.

12. Reward yourself. Rewards are excellent motivators. As you make progress toward your objectives, do something nice for yourself that you enjoy.

Remember – your professional goals are significant to you and your success. By setting clear goals you are on the road to creating the career you want. Following the 12 steps outlined, enables you to focus your efforts and puts you back in the driver seat of your career.

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