What do you do if you're struggling to set realistic deadlines for career growth in sustainability?

Deadlines are attached to goals, so first of all, we need to ask ourselves what the vision is, “why are we doing this?” The hallmark of assessment is a set number of goals to be assessed. (Key Performance Indicators). After set goals had been set, iterate, then evaluate your current skills, knowledge, and experience related to sustainability. Identify areas where you excel and areas that need improvement. Following these steps will aid smooth transition and lessen the chances to get stifled and not meeting deadlines or milestones.

In my sustainability career, I aim to influence policy, drive sustainable business practices, and engage communities in environmental conservation. To achieve this, I'm acquiring skills in environmental science, policy, communication, and project management. Guided by values like integrity and empathy, I'm setting meaningful milestones to measure progress towards my vision.

If you're finding it challenging to set realistic deadlines for career growth in sustainability, consider breaking down your long-term career goals into smaller, achievable milestones. Evaluate your current skills, experiences, and areas for development to create a roadmap for advancement. Seek feedback from mentors or industry professionals to gain perspective on realistic timelines for career progression. Stay flexible and adaptable, adjusting your deadlines as needed based on your progress and evolving circumstances. Regularly review and reassess your goals to ensure they align with your aspirations and the sustainability industry's trends and opportunities.

When it comes to time management it is important to categorise tasks, what is important, what is urgent, what is going to bring in income.... of the urgent tasks choose the least desirable and do that first.

I personally recommended bit by bits breakdown of tasks reaching set milestones. It is a positive reinforcement approach set to trigger intrinsic motivation towards the achievements of little tasks. A big flex about breaking tasks down bring the satisfaction and motivation that comes with little wins. Also, defining both short-term and long-term goals, where short-term goals could be acquiring specific certifications or skills, while long-term goals could include reaching a certain position or level of influence in the sustainability sector. Breaking down your goals into manageable tasks and milestones, assigning realistic timelines to each task based on their complexity and the time required is also a great step.

Breaking down big goals into smaller tasks is like creating a roadmap to success. Take becoming a sustainability consultant, for example. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, focus on specific qualifications needed, like certifications or degrees, and set deadlines for each step. This approach clarifies the path forward, helps prioritize tasks, and reduces stress by tackling one thing at a time. It's not just about productivity—it's a psychological boost that turns aspirations into achievable steps toward your dream career.

Time is money, this is a fact every excellent player knows to be true. You don’t want to do a roller coaster carrying a deadweight. Task time allocation help us to know when it’s time to move forward with other tasks and or which task don’t need our attention anymore as to necessary steps. Same applies to jobs, contracts and or professional responsibilities.

Understanding how we spend our time is key to career growth. Tracking daily activities for a week reveals where our energy goes and helps us identify tasks contributing to our sustainability career. By trimming non-essential activities, we create room for professional development. This analysis guides us in creating a realistic schedule tailored to our goals, ensuring efficient progress towards milestones. It's not just about productivity; it's a strategic investment in our future success.

Seeking guidance from professionals in the sustainability sector is essential for career growth. They offer insights into industry standards and share valuable experiences in managing deadlines. Networking with peers provides support and accountability, keeping you on track. Remember, seeking advice is a sign of dedication, not weakness, and can accelerate your professional development significantly.

In the dynamic field of sustainability, flexibility with deadlines is crucial. Unexpected challenges and opportunities are common, requiring a mindset that adapts goals and timelines as needed. Being flexible doesn't signify a lack of commitment; it's about pragmatically aligning efforts with evolving priorities. Resilience and adaptability are valuable traits, fostering growth and effectiveness in pursuing sustainability goals. Balancing determination with flexibility enables individuals to navigate the complex sustainability landscape successfully.

This is one aspect of the journey that I love very much. As trivializing as people often make it sound, never get wound up in the delusion that your little wins are not worth celebrating. Devise a reward system for yourself, it could be a pat on your back, an outing for yourself, a gift or something else that is attached to your excellent performance on that particular task/job/etc. When we reinforce good behavior, it happens for us more. If you reinforce success, you’re motivated to succeed more.

Here’s something else to consider, know when to call it off. It will help your overall health and workflow optimization in a sustainable way.