How do you create an action plan for achieving your short-term and long-term career goals?

1 Identify your career goals

The first step in creating an action plan is to identify your career goals. What do you want to achieve in your professional life? What skills, knowledge, and experience do you need to acquire or improve? How do you measure your success and progress? Your career goals should be SMART, meaning specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. For example, instead of saying "I want to be a better manager", you could say "I want to complete a leadership course and get promoted to a senior manager role by the end of the year".

2 Assess your current situation

The next step is to assess your current situation. Where are you now in relation to your career goals? What are your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats? What are the gaps and challenges that you need to overcome? How can you leverage your resources and network to support your career development? You can use tools such as SWOT analysis, skills audit, or career self-assessment to evaluate your current state and identify areas for improvement.

3 Define your action steps

The third step is to define your action steps. What are the specific tasks and activities that you need to do to achieve your career goals? How will you prioritize, schedule, and delegate them? How will you track and monitor your performance and results? Your action steps should be SMART as well, and aligned with your career goals. For example, if your goal is to complete a leadership course, your action steps could include researching and enrolling in a suitable course, setting aside time and budget for it, completing the assignments and assessments, and applying the learning to your work.

4 Review and adjust your action plan

The fourth step is to review and adjust your action plan. How are you doing with your action steps? Are you meeting your deadlines and expectations? Are you getting the feedback and support you need? Are you facing any obstacles or changes that affect your plan? You should review your action plan regularly, at least once a month, and make adjustments as needed. You may need to revise your goals, action steps, or timeline based on your progress, achievements, or challenges. You may also need to celebrate your successes, reward yourself, and acknowledge your efforts.

5 Seek feedback and support

The fifth step is to seek feedback and support. Who are the people who can help you with your action plan? How can you communicate and collaborate with them effectively? How can you solicit and incorporate their feedback and suggestions? You should seek feedback and support from various sources, such as your manager, mentor, coach, peers, colleagues, friends, or family. They can provide you with guidance, advice, encouragement, accountability, or resources that can enhance your action plan and career development.

6 Learn and grow from your experience

The sixth step is to learn and grow from your experience. What are the key lessons and insights that you have gained from your action plan? How have you improved your skills, knowledge, and confidence? How have you contributed to your organization and industry? How have you advanced your career and personal development? You should reflect on your experience and document your learning and growth. You should also apply your learning to new situations and challenges, and seek new opportunities and goals that can further your career development.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?