How to Make Career Resolutions You Can Actually Keep (Featuring Examples, Frameworks, and Templates to Help You Stay on Track) ??

Let us guess: It’s the start of the New Year, and you’re eyeing that dream job that makes work feel like play. Perhaps it’s a new skill you want to learn. Or maybe, you’re thinking of starting your own business this year.?

As we head into the New Year, conversations about New Year’s resolutions take center stage. But did you know that only 8% of people stick to their resolutions? In fact, 80% of people who set them say goodbye to their goals by February.

When it comes to career resolutions, the trend isn’t any different. The reason? Maybe it’s the lack of intentional and thoughtful planning or setting goals that don’t quite align.??

This week in Employable, our goal is to give you a step-by-step guide on joining those remarkable 8% who achieve their resolution. Let’s start creating resolutions with purpose and learn strategies to follow through on them effectively:??

Reflect on the Past Year

Before setting your New Year’s career resolutions, take a moment to look back at the past year.?

Whether you got that promotion, took on that managerial role, or spearheaded a successful initiative, think deeply about these moments.?

Here are some ideas to help you get started:

Ask Yourself:

• What Happened that I Wanted: Reflect on the accomplishments that aligned with your goals. How did these align with your initial plans?
• What Didn’t Happen that I Wanted: Consider the goals you aimed for but didn't achieve. What hindered their completion, and what lessons can you take away from these experiences?

Figure Out What You Want from Your Career

To shape your ideal career path, it’s important to reflect on what truly matters to you professionally. Consider the elements that ignite your passion, the environments where you thrive, and the values that define your work satisfaction.?

You can use the ‘What I Want in Work’ matrix as a guide to help you break down your preferences, dislikes, and non-negotiables.?

‘What I Want in Work’ Matrix

Set Specific and Realistic Career Goals

Setting clear and practical career goals is like creating a roadmap for professional success. These goals serve as a guiding light that directs your efforts and energies toward achieving key milestones in your career journey.

It's equally important to ensure that your goals are not just defined but also measurable and trackable. Clear metrics provide a yardstick to measure progress.

Here are some examples:?

What Defining a Goal Looks Like:

“Within 10 months, I aspire to land a Junior Front-End Developer role. I'll accomplish this by completing a 6-month coding bootcamp, mastering HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. My aim is to build and showcase three responsive and visually engaging websites by May 2024, while networking with five industry professionals monthly.”

Create an Action Plan

Now that you clearly know your goals, it’s time to lay out an action plan.?

An action plan is a sequence of achievable steps that lead you toward your goal. It involves breaking down your objectives into manageable tasks with defined deadlines, ensuring a clear path to success.

Here’s how it works:?

Focus on the ‘How’ (Learning and Development)

By incorporating learning and development in your career resolutions, you can actively shape your skillset and knowledge base to align with your career aspirations.?

It involves considering certifications, courses, workshops, projects, or self-study aligned with your career objectives.

Here are some learning avenues you can explore:?

• Comprehensive courses from platforms like Coursera , Udemy , and Skillshare .
• Hands-on, interactive projects by Qureos to build your portfolio in product, marketing, data, and other fields.??
• Workshops covering negotiation skills, leadership development, or advanced coding techniques.
• Industry-standard certifications like Project Management Professional (PMP) or Google Analytics Individual Qualification (GAIQ).

Stay Accountable

To reinforce the commitment to your career resolutions, it’s a great idea to share them with a mentor, colleague, or friend who can provide guidance and hold you accountable.?

Regular check-ins are invaluable for maintaining motivation and staying on course.

Some Conversation Starters With Your Accountability Partner:

1. "I've been working on [specific goal]. Could you share your thoughts on my progress so far?"

1. "I'm looking to enhance my [specific skill]. Do you have any suggestions or resources that could help me?"

1. "I've encountered a challenge with [specific aspect of your goal]. How do you think I could approach this differently?"

1. "I've noticed [specific behavior or habit] has been affecting my progress. Do you have any advice on how I can address this?"

1. "Can you provide some honest feedback on how I've handled [specific task or situation]? I'm open to constructive criticism."

Celebrate Milestones

In the pursuit of your career resolutions, it's important to pause and acknowledge the small victories and milestones along the way.?

These moments aren't just checkpoints on your journey but reflections of your dedication and progress. Take the time to celebrate each achievement.?

Whether it's treating yourself to something special, sharing your success with loved ones, or simply taking a moment to reflect, these celebrations reinforce the significance of your efforts and provide the encouragement needed to tackle the next phase of your goals.

If you found this helpful, you might also like:

1. How to Answer ‘Explain the Career Gap in Your Resume’?
2. What Questions to Ask Before Joining a Startup
3. Career Advice for Graduate Students

Ready to make 2024 the year you crush all your career goals? Use the strategies above to pave your way to success!