Stop making this career mistake

Whether you are applying for jobs or looking to make progress in your current job, you need to set clear goals for yourself. Yes, it takes a bit of motivation to start setting goals and may seem like a grueling process, but it can be detrimental to your career if you don't do this. Having goals brings you a sense of purpose and gives you control of your future. They also shift your focus to what’s important and keep you motivated.

Identify

Decide what your main goal is and establish the steps it takes to get there. The main goal seems less out of reach when you focus on the smaller ones first. It doesn’t matter how many different steps it will take, you just need to concentrate on that first little goal, and then the next one, and keep going until you achieve your main goal. Don’t worry how much time it may take- the time is going to pass anyway.

Network

You should be networking as often as you can. Ask yourself where you want to be in 10 or 15 years and then seek out people who are currently in that position. They know what it takes to get there and can be a great resource for setting accurate goals for your career. People are busy, so make sure when you reach out that you’re not being a burden and explain why this person also benefits from meeting.

Evaluate

Once you set your main goal, make sure that it really is feasible to achieve. You need to know the steps you’ll be taking and any roadblocks you might face along the way. Acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses to adjust your goals and objectives accordingly.

Measure

You should assess your progress along the way to make sure you’re still heading in the right direction; you don’t want to deviate from your plan without realizing it. Measuring your progress allows you to see if you need to make changes to your goal and/or the steps needed to get there.  

Stay Motivated

You shouldn’t only celebrate once you reach your final goal; you need to acknowledge the small accomplishments along the way! Each time you cross off a small goal from your list you should reward yourself somehow. It helps keep you motivated to keep pushing towards your final goal. You worked hard to get there and deserve proper recognition!

Have questions about career development? We want to hear them so comment below! You can also reach out to one of our expert recruiters- find the closest location to you here.