Set your goals for the coming year
CONNIE’S CAREER CORNER
“Set your career goals for the coming year”
Tip for the day: Keep your eyes on the goal and stay focused.
Q: Dear Connie: Is it really important to set goals for my career?
A: Few people actually take the time to plan where they want their career to go. Even fewer will write these goals down on paper. As you think about the different areas in your life that you would like to improve in the upcoming year, do not forget to plan for your work future.
Those who set goals are more likely to:
- Achieve more
- Improve performance
- Increase motivation to achieve
- Improve self-confidence
- Eliminate negative attitudes and thoughts
Since only about 3% of the population actually writes down their career goals, you will be ahead when you create a plan of action for your future. Statistics show that you are three times more likely to achieve your goals if you write your goals down. One reason for the increase in achievement may be that you now have taken the time to think through your career and focus in on what you need to do in order to get where you want to go.
Goal setting is developing a long term plan for your career while being motivated in the short term. Do not be afraid to write down a goal because you think you will fail if the goal is not reached. Goals can be changed. If circumstances change, so can your goals.
Now that you see the benefits of goal setting, let me give you a few tips to make this process easy. When writing down your goal, be sure that your goal is specific and measurable. When you evaluate your progress you will be able to determine just how much you have accomplished.
Also, you will want your goal to be reasonable. If you are 50 years old and you write a goal to be an FBI agent you are not being reasonable because you must be 35 or younger to be trained as an agent. Consider adjusting your goal and working for the FBI in some other capacity.
Finally, set a date when you want to accomplish this goal. If you get a bill and there is no due date on the bill, will you be in a hurry to pay the bill? You need to set a date to complete your goal so you have a target to shoot for. This will help prevent procrastination and motivate you to plan the steps needed to accomplish your goal.
Connie’s Career Corner is your source for career information. E-mail questions for future columns to ConniesCorner@Nashville.gov .
