What do you do if your long-term career goals seem out of reach?

In such situation, take time to reflect on long term goals, considering why they are out of reach and are they still align with our value, interest and aspirations Breaking down long term goal into small and more manageable milestone. Identifying barrier or obstacles. Reaching out to mentors, colleagues and advisors for feedback and advice. Looking into alternative path or opportunities that take us close to long term goals Investing in personal and professional development by building new skills, knowledge and experiences that are relevant to long term goals. Be agile in our approach to achieve our goals by showing flexibility and adaptability, remaining persistent and resilient in pursuing long term goals, maintaining positive mindset

Long-term goals (LTGs) are signposts which point in the direction of our destination and make it easier to define our short-term objectives (STO). It isn’t always possible to have LTGs that don’t change until we get there. Having unreasonable LTGs can demotivate us. So we must periodically reassess our LTGs and realign our STOs to ensure that we’re always moving in the right direction. It might appear like we’re changing the target because were incapable of getting there. But the fact is that we’re actually being practical by making the goal more realistic; provided we’re putting in our best efforts. However, if there is someone else defining our LTG (say, our organization) we must make every effort to define our STOs in tune with it.

Long-term career goals feel distant, break them into smaller, achievable steps. Focus on developing necessary skills, networking, and seeking opportunities aligned with those goals. Embrace setbacks as learning experiences and adapt your strategy accordingly.

That's why they are called long term :D What are the reasons you feel they are out of reach? Identify the barriers and analyze the reality. Because they may be out of reach and in that case it's better to know. Changing goals is a possibility.

Reassess your goals: Start by taking a step back and re-evaluating your long-term career aspirations. Are they still aligned with your values, interests and capabilities? Have your circumstances or priorities changed over time? Ensure your goals are still truly meaningful to you.

It is invaluable for career advancement. They offer wisdom, guidance, and strategies based on experience, helping navigate challenges. Mentors expand networks, connecting mentees with opportunities. Learning from their journey is as crucial as receiving advice. Ultimately, mentorship accelerates progress toward long-term career objectives by leveraging shared knowledge and experience.

Seeking guidance is crucial when your long-term career goals feel out of reach. Consult mentors, career coaches, or professionals in your field for advice and support. They can provide valuable insights, help you identify alternative pathways, and offer strategies to overcome obstacles, ultimately guiding you toward achieving your aspirations.

In the early stages of my career, I faced a substantial skills gap when transitioning from law to corporate governance. A strategic analysis of job requirements illuminated the essential skills and soft skills I needed to bolster. To bridge these gaps, I immersed myself in the industry by attending conferences and workshops related to corporate governance. This allowed me to network with experts and stay aware of the latest trends, providing me with invaluable insights and practical knowledge that propelled my professional development. This proactive approach was pivotal in my transformation into a skilled governance specialist.

career goals feel distant, focus on skill-building: pursue training, seek new responsibilities, and start side projects. Mentors identify skill gaps and recommend development strategies. Continuous learning enhances competitiveness for future opportunities.

Building skills is paramount when your long-term career goals seem distant. Identify the specific skills needed for your desired career path and invest time in developing them through courses, workshops, self-study, or on-the-job experience. Continuous learning and skill enhancement increase your competency and confidence, bringing your goals within closer reach.

Break down your goals into smaller steps: Instead of getting overwhelmed by the big picture, focus on identifying the incremental, actionable steps you can take now. What are the short-term milestones you can work towards?

Staying adaptable is crucial when pursuing long-term career goals. Embrace change, be open to new opportunities, and continuously reassess your approach. Cultivate a growth mindset, stay resilient in the face of challenges, and remain flexible in adjusting your strategies. Adapting to evolving circumstances increases your chances of success in reaching your aspirations.

Maintaining persistence is key when pursuing long-term career goals. Stay committed to your objectives despite setbacks or obstacles. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, stay focused on your vision, and persevere through difficulties. Consistent effort over time increases your likelihood of success and brings your goals within reach.

We all go through highs and lows in life. The most important thing is to listen to yourself and stay aligned by having a clear vision (having a vision board helps). To remind you of your direction and where you're headed. Just like climbing a mountain, it's never a smooth journey where the set-backs will help you reach your own *summit*. Keep your vision in mind, set actionable steps and know that it's okay to have setbacks. They won't stop you, only make you stronger.

Start by identifying and connecting with individuals in your desired field or industry. Attend relevant conferences, seminars, or networking events to establish initial contacts. Don't be afraid to reach out to people you admire professionally and request informational interviews to learn more about their journeys. Engage actively on professional online platforms, join industry groups or forums, and participate in discussions. This digital networking expands your reach and exposes you to diverse perspectives and experiences. Once you've established connections, focus on fostering genuine relationships. Offer value by sharing knowledge or lending a hand when possible. A strong network thrives on mutual support and reciprocity.

I like to compare networking with running a marathon, not a sprint. It's about the small efforts, to keep strengthening and building relationships in the long run. That's what will make a big difference in the future. When you connect with someone, if you truly connect, then make the effort. Schedule catch-up calls, send thoughtful messages and learn how to give, give and give. It's about becoming a smart giver, and learning how to receive.

Networking actively is essential when striving for long-term career goals. Cultivate relationships within your industry, attend events, and engage with professionals online. Build a diverse network that can offer support, mentorship, and opportunities. Leveraging your connections increases your visibility and opens doors to advancements in your career journey.

In my experience what really works well is reassessing the goal from conscious and subconscious levels what is really true for the person right now (point A) and future (points B, C). When the person is aligned inside both in life and career strategy, on all levels, then path to the goal becomes straightforward. Then that goal can be tested through the Method of Impossible Goal.

While all the above mentioned are very important points, I would advice you to break down your long-term career goals into smaller and achievable goals. For eg. If you long-term goal is to be a UX consultant, you know you just can't be one overnight, break it down into smaller goals that will help you become a UX consultant eventually. You could break it down into learning and mastering UX principles in 6 months, then learning and mastering consultations in the next 6 months. And just like that, eventually, your long term goals will fall in place

Get a coach to help you: 1. Identify your blind spots: Are you playing to your Strengths? What are your Drivers? 2. Reassess your goals: Are your goals truly aligned with your values, interests, personality, passion, purpose, and skills? And if not, what should you do? What skills do you need to build and how?) 3. Develop a concrete, step-by-step action plan 4. Maintain accountability #careercoach #careercoaching #coaching #mentoring