Struggling with setting achievable career goals?

What do you want your career to actually look like? We idolize the person who started in the mailroom that now runs the company. The days of linear careers are largely gone. The possibilities are endless. Maybe you still want to make a career doing one thing. Maybe you want to do different things. Perhaps travel is your first priority and any job that fits that will do. Maybe you have a good paying job that is less than exciting, and you want to build a side business. There is no one right model. And the structure that works for you, may not exist as a reference. That's ok too. The important thing is to have a plan that makes sense to you.

Mind mapping is an effective tool for some people. It is more organic and flexible than other methods. Dream big, and never give up! Ganbatte kudasai is the imperative of Ganbaru (Japanese principle) - try your hardest, do your best, never give up, and go for broke. Never quit until the goal is reached!

Start by being brutally honest with yourself. Evaluate where you truly are versus where you want to be. Identify the gap and break it down into smaller, actionable steps. Focus on what you can control and make a plan that is realistic and specific. Remember, success isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about consistent, deliberate actions. Hold yourself accountable, celebrate small wins, and adjust as needed. Your clarity and commitment will transform your dreams into achievable milestones.

Take some paper and a pen and just write out what your dream life would like. Write out whatever comes to your mind even if it sounds ridiculous. Allow yourself to open up to possibilities. Then take a look at what you’ve written. Acknowledge and accept where you are at. Write it all out. Where are you? What strengths do you have that can get you to where you want to be? What skills are you lacking? What do you need to know? What are the obstacles? Each of these things are opportunities to learn and grow from. And the more clear and honest with yourself you are on those obstacles, the more clear the direction you can go to overcome them. The obstacles give you direction. Now you have clarity on what you want and how to get there.

Begin with a candid self-assessment. Evaluate your current skills, strengths, and areas for improvement. Understanding where you stand helps in setting realistic and achievable goals. I work with clients to identify their true capabilities and align their goals accordingly.

When struggling to set achievable career goals, we should start by dreaming big and envisioning our long-term aspirations. We should imagine where we want to be in five or ten years, allowing ourselves to think boldly and ambitiously. Then, we should break down these big dreams into smaller, manageable objectives, making them feel less overwhelming and more attainable. By doing so, we create a clear roadmap for success, with each step leading us closer to our ultimate career goals.

Don’t worry about whether or not your dream goals are realistic. Go for them anyway. It’s the process and who you become in that process that is powerful and that will bring you joy. You will not regret it if you remember that those goals are the direction you want to go and not the measuring stick. If you find yourself getting discouraged about not being where you want to be, read “The Gap and The Gain” by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy

Encourage yourself to think beyond immediate limitations. Dreaming big helps in setting ambitious yet attainable goals. I help clients articulate their long-term vision and aspirations, ensuring their goals stretch their potential while remaining within reach.

Don’t be afraid to think about where you’d love to be in the future. Whether it’s landing a leadership role or starting your own business, allow yourself to dream big. However, keep those dreams grounded in reality. For instance, if you aim to become a CEO, think about the smaller milestones you need to hit first, like moving into a senior management role.

Break down your big dreams into actionable steps. Use the SMART criteria—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—to create a detailed plan. This structured approach ensures that each goal is practical and trackable.

Once you have your big dreams in mind, break them down into smaller, actionable steps. Let’s say you want to transition from a marketing specialist to a marketing manager. Start by identifying what skills you need to develop, such as team management or strategic planning, and then create a timeline for achieving them.

Struggling with career goals? It’s time to get SMART about it. Start by defining Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals. Break them down into smaller, manageable steps to avoid overwhelm. Each step should push you slightly out of your comfort zone but still be achievable. Regularly track your progress and adjust as needed. Remember, clarity and consistency are key. With a solid plan, you’ll turn those career dreams into actionable milestones and achieve the success you’re aiming for!

While the big goal sounds amazing and you may want to go out and take massive action, it’s actually the small things that support your goals that you do each day that will make all the difference. Some small things to consider: - Remind yourself each day what your goal is and that you can achieve it. - Ask yourself “who can I serve?” Or “Who can I learn from?” - Ask yourself, “What can I do today that will help me to accomplish my big goal?”

Your goals won’t achieve themselves. Break them down into smaller, actionable steps. Start by defining what you want and why it matters. Next, create a plan with specific, measurable milestones. Set deadlines and hold yourself accountable. Remember, consistency is key. Every small action you take brings you closer to your goal. Stay focused, track your progress, and celebrate your wins along the way. You have the power to make your dreams a reality—just take the first step today!

Commit to taking consistent, deliberate actions towards your goals. Implement your plan step-by-step and stay focused on executing each task. Regular progress checks can help maintain momentum and adapt the plan as needed.

It’s time to put your plan into motion. Start taking steps towards your goals, even if they’re small. For instance, if your goal is to gain a new certification, enroll in a relevant course. Remember, consistent effort over time leads to big results.

One of my mentors always reminds me that you don't have to figure it all out but you do need to know your next step so you can take action. Having a plan is great but if you're not taking steps to execute it, you probably won't get far. Figure out small daily actions you can take to keep moving forward and over time, those small steps will take you much further than you may have even thought was possible.

Don’t hesitate to seek support from mentors, peers, or coaches. They can offer guidance, feedback, and encouragement. Building a network of support can provide valuable insights and help keep you accountable. Setting achievable career goals involves a blend of honest assessment, ambitious dreaming, smart planning, proactive action, seeking support, and regular reflection.

Don’t hesitate to seek guidance and support from others. Whether it’s a mentor, a career coach, or your network, getting advice can provide valuable insights and encouragement. For example, if you’re struggling with public speaking, joining a group like Toastmasters can help you gain confidence and improve your skills.

Regularly review your progress to ensure you’re on track. Ask yourself what’s working, what isn’t, and what adjustments you need to make. For instance, if you find that balancing work and study is overwhelming, consider adjusting your timeline or workload. Reflecting regularly allows you to stay focused and make necessary changes as you move forward.

Review your goals and progress on a regular basis. Not only does this keep you on track with your goals but it can help you determine when you may need to make changes to your goals or pivot a bit. It also helps you see the progress you've made along the way. Sometimes it's hard to see how far you've come. until you reflect back to where you started.

Schedule regular reflections to assess your progress. Evaluate what’s working and what’s not and make necessary adjustments to your goals and strategies. Reflection helps you stay aligned with your objectives and adapt to any changes.