How to create a roadmap for your career and why everyone needs one

Firstly, let’s establish why it is important to have a roadmap for your career.

A development plan or roadmap helps to get clarity on your vision, goals and steps to reach them. It is an opportunity to reflect on what success looks like for you. Also, a roadmap helps to identify any gaps in your skillset that you may need in order to reach your goals.?

If a development plan sounds too rigid, why not try working with a vision board instead? This approach has no limitations in terms of your creativity and can be a very powerful tool to visualise your goals. The cover image shows my vision board from my initial career change a few years ago.

?

When working with clients to create a roadmap, we work on 3 kinds of goals:?

1)??????? Clarity on destination

We firstly establish a time by when the client wants to have achieved the goals. This can be 6 months, 12 months or 18 months from now. We then tackle the question ‘what do you want to have achieved by that time?’.

?

For example, one of my initial visions included setting up a home office for my coaching work that aligns with my aesthetic expectations. I gave myself 6 months to create this space.

?

2)??????? Defining the milestones

Once we are clear on the client’s goals, we establish the milestones and link them to particular dates on our timeline.

?

For my home office project, milestones included clearing out a room at home, decorating, buying furniture and obtaining professional equipment.

?

3)??????? Immediate actions

This step defines the immediate next steps that are required to reach the first milestone. These actions need to be as quantifiable as possible, so that you can measure if you are on track.

??

Once a roadmap is in place, it is worth to check in with your feelings towards it. It should excite you and make you feel as if you want to start working off your actions right away.?

Regular reflections on your vision will help you to find out if you’re still motivated. If not, try making small adjustments until you feel you are in love with your journey again.?

________________________

I’m Aurelia. I help individuals navigate career change and be more aligned with their values.

?? Follow me for regular tips and relevant topics from my coaching experience.

??? Arrange an informal chat to discuss your requirements.