Setting ambitious goals is crucial to reaching where you want to be in your career. Based on my experience with clients, here’s a simplified process for setting professional goals that are clear, motivating, and challenging.
Step 1: Identify Your Professional Goal
Become aware of your aspirations and passions by reflecting on the following questions:
- What do you want to do in your career, and how will it benefit you?
- What impact do you want to make in your field?
- What kind of work environment and culture do you thrive in?
- Where do you see yourself a few years down the line?
- When, where, and with whom do you want to realise this goal?
- What is important to you about this goal?
Make a quick note of what you want to achieve in your professional life. Use positive language that focuses on what you want rather than what you don’t want. For example, say, “I want to transition to the role X in two years” instead of saying, “I don’t want to stay in my current position.”
Step 2: Clearly Define That Goal
Avoid vague or general statements. Be precise about what you want to achieve by using clear and specific language. This will make it easier for you to understand and act on your goal statement.
Instead of saying, “I want to improve team collaboration,” specify your professional goal with precision: “I will implement a new team communication tool and conduct five feedback sessions to enhance team collaboration.”
Step 3: Make It Time-bound
Having a set date to achieve your goal will boost motivation and drive you to take action. It creates a sense of accountability, making it easier to stay on track. So, set a specific deadline for achieving your goal.
For example, instead of saying, “I want to grow my network,” give yourself a specific timeline to work towards: “I will connect with 20 new professionals on LinkedIn and schedule three informational interviews by the end of next month.”
Step 4: Add Sensory Evidence
Describe the goal with a focus on what you will see, hear, and feel when you succeed. Reflect on the following questions to create a vivid and realistic picture of success:
- What will you be doing when you achieve it?
- How will you know when you achieve your goal?
- What will you see, hear, and feel when you attain your desired professional goal?
Some examples include seeing your work highlighted in industry reports, hearing positive feedback from clients and colleagues, and feeling satisfied and excited about new projects.
Step 5: Validate Personal Motivation and Autonomy
Ensure that your goal involves only changes you can initiate, maintain, and manage on your own. It should not give directives to other people.
For example, a statement like “I want my boss to promote me by next year” relies on someone else’s thinking and actions. It is beyond your direct control.
A better approach would be: “I will ensure that by December 31st, 2024, I will complete all required training and certifications, document client feedback, and present a detailed case to my boss for promotion.” This approach focuses on actions you can actively control and execute, making the goal self-initiated and self-maintained.
Step 6: Run the Ecology Check
Make sure that the outcome fits within all aspects of your life, and you are truly willing to achieve the goal.
Here are some questions to reflect on:
- Is this goal right for you in all circumstances of your life?
- Is there any impact on your health, finances, relationships, etc., if you pursue this goal?
- What will happen if you reach this goal?
- What won’t happen if you achieve this goal?
- What will happen if you don’t achieve this goal?
- What won’t happen if you don’t reach this goal?
- Is there any voice in you that objects to this goal?
- Is this goal in alignment with who you are as a person?
- Is this goal beneficial for you and those around you?
Step 7 : Make Your Goal Compelling
Ensure that your goal challenges you in a meaningful way. If it’s not pushing you beyond your current capabilities, it’s not compelling enough. You can choose to scale up the goal to make it more ambitious or tighten the deadline to increase urgency and motivation. Remember, growth is uncomfortable. If we are not uncomfortable, we are not growing.
Next Steps
With your goal clearly defined and validated, it’s time to map out the steps you need to take to achieve it.
Consider the following actions:
- Set milestones to track your progress.
- Identify the resources and support you need.
- Regularly review and monitor your progress.
Sharing your goal with someone who can hold you accountable and provide valuable feedback and encouragement can make a significant difference. Feel free to reach out to me if you feel I can help in some way.
I wish you the very best on your journey 🙂