Career goals – how to set them and achieve them!

There’s no better time than right now to reset your career goals! That doesn’t have to involve a complete reshuffle of everything you have been working towards – remember that not all career goals require huge change. Instead, it is time to pause, reflect and then start moving towards achievement.

Here are some tips to get you started.

Fill in the blank – I want to…

Are you looking to move into a new role, further grow into a management position, switch to a new company or maybe try something completely new? We recently asked this question with a LinkedIn poll and 44% of respondents indicated that they were looking for advancement in their current organisation followed by 35% who were looking to secure new employment. As well as defining what you want to achieve in your career you need to understand what is driving you to pursue these goals or the ‘why’ – are you driven by recognition and growth or are you at a stage where money is a motivator? These questions will help in defining what it is you want to achieve.

You need to be realistic about what is it you can achieve – moving from an entry level role to CEO is a great long-term goal but it is not likely to happen in one step. A good place to start is by evaluating your goals and reflecting on your accomplishments to date. Check back on recent performance reviews or take a look at the career path of people whose careers you admire the most. You may identify some areas for development that you can work on while in pursuit of your goals. Professional development can take many forms and Decipher Group has a track record of working with individuals and organisations on the preparation and implementation of tailored professional development plans for business leaders and executives.

Accomplishing your career goals is possibly the most challenging step. You might start by tackling those obstacles you identified earlier, like broadening your skill set. Depending on what your goals are, you may want to focus on your current organisation and whether there are opportunities open to you in the short to medium term – is there a sponsor in your organisation that can support you? More broadly, what is happening in your industry and how does this impact on your goals. If your goals are more about influence and impact, then it is time to focus on your soft skills – you need to start making connections with other influencers and start leveraging your expertise. You should also be reaching out to your contacts and work on building relationships. Consider mentors and coaches who can help motivate you as well as direct you to opportunities.

Treat the achievement of your career goals like a project – you need to put in the work and be persistent. If you are looking to grow your career, IQ and EQ are important but you also need strong AQ (or Adaptability Quotient) to succeed.

If you are considering a kick start to your career, reach out to us today. We’d love to chat.

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