You're striving for success in Business Services. How can you set career goals that you can actually achieve?

I believe that it's crucial to know what you want your personal life to be like. Include family, personal and family interests and factor these into how you can achieve most of these

I agree with the statement. Before setting goals as part of our Personal Development Plan (PDP), it’s essential to carefully evaluate our strengths, weaknesses, passions, and where we envision ourselves in the future.

When starting your own business, and on regular intervals along the way, it good to assess your skills and assess what you enjoy. As your business grows, start by outsourcing roles that are most easily outsourced such as IT and payroll. Keep what is your passion, your business, and focus on that. However, there is an important distinction between delegation and abdication. Just because you are outsourcing does not abdicate you from responsibility, so you need to know just enough to make sound decisions.

I believe we have to assess, and periodically reassess what our strengths are. Great leaders are continuing to grow and learn as our careers progress. Some things change in what we enjoy, things that were a weakness suddenly become a strength.

My perspective is , if I get involved in any project, I have only two options, do I want to do it or don’t. If my mind says yes I can , I do it.

I think success changes as we change, what was important then might not be now. A good work life balance becomes more important our life becomes fuller. I also think continued growth and learning is a must for success.

In this current environment, it is necessary to set achievable goals, but ones that are a bit above easy. Set goals that challenge your mind! In challenging your mind, you will soon see that your goals a being met and exceeded. As you attain these goals you will feel empowered to make loftier goals and accomplish them.

SMART goals are the framework to ensure your goals are realistic and measurable: Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve. Instead of “I want to advance in my career,” say “I want to become a senior project manager.” Measurable: How will you know when you’ve achieved it? This could be obtaining a specific certification, getting promoted, or completing a major project. Achievable: Ensure the goal is attainable based on your current resources, skills, and time. Consider whether additional training or experience is needed. Relevant: Your goals should align with your long-term career vision and personal aspirations. Time-bound: Set a realistic deadline, like "within six months" or "by the end of next year."

Create short-term milestones: Large goals can be overwhelming. Break them into smaller, actionable steps with clear deadlines. For example, if your goal is to lead a department, a short-term step could be to take a leadership course or volunteer for small leadership roles. Track your progress: Regularly evaluate how far you've come and adjust if needed. This keeps you motivated and allows for flexibility if circumstances change.

“We are not isolated individuals, but we are part of a greater whole, and we must contribute to the common good.” “First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” -Epictetus In the context of building a business network, this reminds us that relationships and networking are not just transactional but a way to contribute value to others and society. By fostering genuine connections and contributing to the success of others, we naturally strengthen our own network and opportunities. Networking is about mutual benefit and recognizing the interdependence we all share. Attend industry specific conferences, write letters related to industry practices, Contribute to the success of others by offering help

Be Adaptable: embrace flexibility, career paths are rarely linear. Be open to new opportunities & be willing to revise your goals as your circumstances, industry, or interests change. Learn from setbacks: If a goal isn’t achieved as planned, analyze why, learn from the experience, & adjust strategy. “Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless like water. Now you put water in a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.” -Bruce Lee This encourages adaptability & resilience, a mindset that can be applied to career growth. Like water, you adjust to circumstances & challenges while remaining focused & steady.