Setting a SMART goal is one step towards making a career change. Sticking to an action plan and avoiding set backs though can be tough. Distractions and surprises happen and so it is critical that there is a strong intention to: achieve the goal, learn from failures and manage your time.
INTENTION TO ACHIEVE
If you’ve followed the SMART goal setting process, then you have a clearly articulated goal statement. If you’ve taken the next step and created an action plan, then you know what you need to do to achieve your career goal. Now it is time to really decide how important this goal is to you in the overall scheme of things. For this goal to be achieved there has to be a passionate desire to achieve it. Make this goal a top priority in your life by sharing it with friends and family and showing your commitment to attaining it. Print out your SMART goal statement and tape it on your fridge, the bathroom mirror and your bedroom wall for all to see. Read it daily. Friends and family who want to be supportive will see your commitment and become your cheerleaders. Check in with them regularly and to give them progress reports and get some support for the hurdles you face.
LEARNING FROM MISTAKES
Another important attitude to have while striving to achieve a SMART goal is to not see mistakes as set backs but as a guide that steers you in the right direction – i.e. towards your goal. Correcting and learning from mistakes will force you down new pathways. See the navigation that mistakes create as very positive and a driver towards your ultimate career goal. Ask questions of yourself and others around you to discover all you can about the mistake. Why did this happen? What lesson needs to be learned here? What would have been a better choice? How can this sort of mistake be prevented in the future?
Time management is critical if you are to achieve your SMART goal by a deadline. As part of the action planning process, schedule blocks of time to work on your goal in a realistic way. If you are working full-time, be realistic on how much time you can regularly put towards your goal work. Are you able to wake up an hour earlier or go to bed later to have some uninterrupted time to work on your action plan? Create a timeline and assign deadlines to the major steps along the way. Celebrate each mini achievement and really feel the pride of accomplishment so that you keep momentum and achieve your career goals.
If you have comments or suggestions on this article, please start a discussion
If you liked this article, try:
Barriers to Career Goal Attainment
Professional New Years Resolutions
Copyright © 2007 Joni Rose and Suite 101. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use will constitute an infringement of copyright.
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