05/01/2014
7 Tips for Sticking to Career
Goals in the New Year(By Stephen Samuel Iyoko)
1. Analyze the past, take
stock of the present, and
plan a future.
In order to set goals that are
challenging yet realistic, first
look at what you’ve
accomplished over the last
year. What felt most
satisfying, and how can you
push it further? What didn’t
quite get done but is still in
the realm of possibility? Make
a list of career goals for the
coming year — they may
build on previous
accomplishments or they may
be totally new. Then prioritize
what you most want to
achieve.
2. Use your strengths wisely.
Goals that require completely
changing your habits are
destined to fail. But goals
that harness your strengths
and encourage improvement
will challenge you without
causing frustration.
3. Make your goals detailed
and specific.
Once you have your list of
goals, it’s time to make them
practical and quantifiable.
Including numbers and dates
can help you focus on what
exactly you want to achieve,
and give you a benchmark for
measuring your success.
Breaking down large goals
into more manageable pieces
(“write 1,000 words per day”
versus “write a book”) can
prevent them from being
overwhelming.
4. Use tech to keep track of
tasks, trends, and spending.
Mobile apps that allow you to
view and analyze data over a
period of time are great for
keeping you aware of your
progress. Productivity apps,
for example, help you
manage your to-do lists,
events, reminders, and notes.
5. Focus on your own
progress, not on that of
others.
A bit of career envy can be a
good motivator, but
becoming fixated on others’
achievements will only make
you feel bad about your own
professional path. Make sure
your goals are geared toward
your own growth rather than
trying to impress others or
achieve a standard set by
someone else. Success is not
a finite resource; others’
achievements don’t negate
yours.
6. Meet regularly with people
who can help you achieve
your goals.
This could be your boss,
members of an industry
association, or a freelancer
meet-up group. Spending
time with people who
understand the unique
challenges, jargon, and
culture of your job will help
you clarify and refine what
you want to achieve. You’ll
also discover how others are
meeting their own goals. If
it’s a more relaxed social
setting, you may be able to
team up to help each other
stay on track.
7. Keep your goals where so
you can see them daily.
Whether you stick them
above your desk, enter them
into a memo on your phone,
or write them in a planner,
keep your goals visible and
accessible. Having a daily
reminder of what you’ve set
out to achieve will likely keep
you motivated. Extra credit:
At the end of each day, take
stock of the little things
you’ve done that contribute
toward each goal. Those daily
tasks that may seem trivial at
the time build up and have a
big impact — and serve as
powerful encouragements
along the way.
