How to set Career Goals you will want to Achieve in 2023

If you’re like me and have challenges with setting and achieving your goals, then keep reading.

I'd always had trouble setting and achieving goals even though I read a lot, I mean, a LOT of material about goal setting.

I couldn’t honestly say that the problem was that the principles I learned didn’t work. I tried applying them but lost steam along the way and got discouraged because I wasn't seeing results.

It took me a while but I finally figured out why.

1. I hadn't properly outlined the goals I really wanted or that I was motivated to achieve.
2. Because I hadn't done step 1, I never had a solid plan to follow.

Consequently, all my goals either seemed beyond my reach or took too long to accomplish.

It was very demotivating.

My turning point was when I took time to think, really think about what I wanted. Hilariously, this was time I somehow always thought I didn’t have enough of. I certainly found it when it mattered!

The steps I took not only helped me realise what I really wanted but I was also able to accomplish more than 80% of my goals in 2022.

First, I started by stating what I wanted. For example, “I want a new job.” Then I asked myself if it was about the job, or something the job would either give me or allow me to do. In short, WHY I wanted the new job.

There could be several reasons:

What the Job Gives

• Higher Salary
• Higher grade e.g., from Officer to Manager
• Remote or Hybrid working options
• More time to spend with family

What the Job Allows me to do

• Lead a team
• Work with multicultural teams
• Hone specific skills
• Give access to specific people or places

Understanding my ‘why’ did the following:

• Gave me greater clarity about my motivators.
• Helped me articulate my goals and reveal possible routes I could explore to achieve them.
• Inspired me to commit to definite targets and measure my progress using the SMART method (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-Bound).
• Showed me where to channel my efforts so I didn’t waste my energy.
• Allowed me to determine which resources I needed (financial or human (connections)) to achieve the goal.

Second, I wrote down my goals in a journal I use specifically for that purpose. I put down at least three steps I would take towards the goal and the timing involved with each one. This served to remind me about what I was working towards and track my progress according to my timelines. I also adjusted when necessary.

Say I decided I wanted the new job because I wanted to lead my own team, I would have to ask myself questions like, “Do I have the right skills?”, “Do I have the kind of people that can help me in my network?” “Does my CV capture the times I successfully led teams including the results?”

My 3-step plan for getting a new job where I can lead a team could then look like this:

1. Get certification in x course or training in y area by February 11, 2022.
2. Attend xyz networking event on February 4 and make sure I meet a minimum of 3 new people. (You could also plan to strengthen relationships with people in your profession that are already in your network by finding opportunities to serve).
3. Review my CV to include the times I successfully led teams by the end of the week e.g., January 26). (You can get help with this if you feel you need it).

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Third, and most important for me, I took my personality into account when I set my goals.

Because I’m often tempted to procrastinate, I knew that the more detailed my plan was, the more likely it was that I would achieve it. I also tend to work harder when another person is involved, so I got an accountability partner.

The DISC personality test is a good one to start with. Discovering your personality types and therefore understanding yourself better, means you can use your strengths to accomplish your goals and make a plan to overcome your weaknesses.

To summarize the DISC personality types:

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Goal Setting Tips for your Personality Type

2023 doesn’t have to be another year that your desires go unfulfilled. Be bold about setting goals you really want to accomplish and start creating the career future you want.

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Take this FREE DISC Personality Test from tonyrobbins.com to find out more about your motivators https://www.tonyrobbins.com/disc/

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You can also sign up for my 8-week “Reinvent Yourself” T3 Career Bootcamp starting in February 2023. In addition to helping you kickstart your career goals, you will be given tools and coached to set goals you will want to achieve. More details coming soon!