How to Balance Short vs Long-Term Career Goals?
Joana Fonseca Orvalho
Career Clarity Coach | Supporting women in the corporate world to gain career clarity and confidently take their next step toward success | Bestselling Author
In your career journey, the pursuit of career goals can feel overwhelming, or simply hard to define a robust strategy to achieve all of them.
On one side, you have immediate objectives that demand your attention, e.g. deciding if you accept a new opportunity just presented to you or how to continue to feel fulfilled in your current career.
On the other, long-term aspirations require strategic planning and foresight.
Striking a balance between the two is crucial for sustainable career growth and personal satisfaction.
SO...
How can you navigate this balancing act effectively?
????????????
??First of all, let's understand what short and long-term goals mean:
Short-Term Goals: Short-term goals are objectives you aim to achieve within a relatively short period, usually within a year. They include tasks like being promoted, securing a new job, acquiring a new skill, completing a project, or earning a certification.
Long-Term Goals: Long-term goals, on the other hand, span over several years, often involving substantial growth and significant milestones. These might include reaching a leadership position, becoming an expert in a new field, or achieving financial independence. Long-term goals require sustained effort and a series of intermediate steps.
??Now that we are on the same page, let's understand why balancing short-term and long-term goals is so key:
BUT...
??How can you achieve a perfect (or at least a satisfactory) balance, you are now wondering? - Below are some practical strategies to put you in control:
1. Define Your Vision: Start by clearly defining your long-term vision.
Where do you see yourself in five or ten years? What are your ultimate career aspirations? Once you have a clear picture, you can align your short-term goals to support this vision.
It's walking backward in the same way that you plan every journey: tell me where you want to go and then let's define the path to get there!
2. Break Down Long-Term Goals: Decompose your long-term goals into smaller, manageable tasks.
For example, if your long-term goal is to become a project manager, short-term goals might include taking a project management certification, seeking mentorship, or managing smaller projects.
Breaking down your future vision will allow you to look for opportunities that are available to you NOW, that will support you in reaching your goals.
3. Prioritize and Plan: Use tools like a simple heatmap to prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance.
This helps you focus on short-term goals that align with your long-term aspirations.
Create a timeline that integrates both sets of goals, ensuring that short-term achievements contribute to long-term success.
4. Balance Work and Personal Life: Personal well-being is crucial for sustained professional success.
Ensure that your career goals do not overshadow your personal life.
A healthy work-life balance fosters overall well-being and productivity.
In other words, don't compromise your physical and mental health in the short term as it's not worth it in the long run - it is not sustainable!
Balancing short-term and long-term career goals is a dynamic process that requires careful planning, adaptability, and continuous learning.
By defining a clear vision, breaking down long-term goals, and maintaining flexibility, you can create a career path that is both fulfilling and sustainable.
Remember, the key is to ensure that your short-term actions are consistently paving the way towards your long-term aspirations.
With strategic planning and a proactive approach, you can achieve a harmonious balance that leads to professional success and personal satisfaction.
If you are struggling to define your ambition, I invite you to watch a free webinar on (How to Become) Unapologetically Ambitious, at:
__________
Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Career Revamp' for weekly tips and strategies to get your professional life to the next level (the one where you feel happy and motivated every single day!).