Setting Goals that Matter
Your dream career is ahead of you, so make sure you set goals that will take you down the best path.
Can you believe it? We’re already in the middle of January 2021. Not only are we back to work, and school, but the pace has picking up and we’re back into our regular routine. It’s time to think about goals. Specifically, those annual career goals that will be used to evaluate your performance this year. So what would you like to achieve this year?
You’re probably familiar with thinking SMART in terms of goal setting. That is to be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time Bound. It’s a great process to follow to help you think through annual goals and how to achieve them. Nevertheless, if you’re at all like me, you find the concept of SMART goals to be more daunting than inspiring.
While I consider myself to be a process person, and I'm a big fan of using data to validate assumptions, for some reason, process and data seem to be roadblocks in my goal setting process. Maybe it’s because SMART goals seem more aligned with setting performance goals that relate to your current company and your current role? And really, where is the fun in that? Yes, it’s great to have the drive to achieve in your current role, and it can be fulfilling to play a role in your company’s success, but at the end of the day, your career is yours. It doesn’t belong to your manager, your company, or even, your industry. If you want to have your heart in your performance goals, they should be tied to your ultimate career objectives. Luckily, your team and company will feel the positive impact of your success, should you meet your goals, but ultimately, it isn’t about them. I’m all about employee empowerment, and therefore, I recommend looking at the big picture when setting goals.
Where do you want to be a year from now? How about five or 10 years down the line? This year will be a step down that path, so make sure you set goals that will take you where you want to go.
For example, if you have entrepreneurial dreams, you can set goals to help you develop the necessary skills or begin to identify potential clients in the future. Let’s say that you have identified an issue with a process or an ongoing need at work. If you have a solution in mind, or the drive to solve the issue, set a goal and pitch it to leadership. You’ll get a taste of entrepreneurship, and also, show your value as an employee.
Maybe you realize that you haven’t placed an emphasis on networking yet, so this year, you set a goals to become more involved in a professional organization, or even, speak at a conference. Taking on more responsibilities with a professional community will lead to stronger relationships, and greater visibility.
If you strive to become a people leader as the next step in your career, you can set a goal to mentor junior members of the team or take on the project manager role on an upcoming project. This will allow you to develop management experience, communication skills, and leadership presence.
If a career change is on the horizon, you may want to set a goal that includes cross-departmental collaboration, which will allow you to both expand your network, but also give you a peek into what a career shift could look like.
Goal setting tends to feel like a formality, but really, it’s great way to be an active participant in your professional development and career planning. Don’t limit yourself to your current role, and set goals that will pay off down the line. So take some time to reflect on your current situation, and to dream about what an ideal career looks like in the future. Remember, that you have control over your career, you just need to set the course.
