The elevator to success is out of service. But the stairs are always open. – Zig Ziglar
It’s the season of personal renewal and New Year’s resolutions … lots of buzz everywhere about hopes and expectations for 2010.
Of course, it takes more than stating an expectation (or hoping for it) to make it happen … there is no elevator that will zoom you to success with a push of the button. You can expect a phenomenal year, however, by planning a few steps up those stairs (and I guarantee the stairs will be less crowded!).
Goal planning helps you choose where you want to go in your career. By focusing on what you want to achieve, goals will keep you on course. The more goal-oriented tasks you mark off of your list, the more endorphins you release. Well planned goals are not only motivating, but proven to raise self esteem. As you achieve a goal — even a small one, you will trigger a release of endorphins in your brain and feel better. Just dreaming about goals will also raise your happiness level, but only fleetingly unless you act on those dreams. Accomplishing a goal oriented task makes you feel better — you achieve a higher level of happiness that lasts a longer period of time. It’s addicting!
Where to Begin?
Employers value extra skills and experience that employees can bring to a position. Good job candidates understand this when they are trying to get hired and are quick to point out their value-adds, but once hired, many become complacent in attempting more than a job description. So, a good place to begin goal planning for your career development is by reviewing your top responsibilities and asking yourself how you can add value to them. If you are not sure which responsibilities have priority, ask your boss for input. In fact, it may be a good idea to ask your boss even if you think you know so you do not waste time chasing the wrong goals.
Now, you have a list of your top responsibilities, how do you add value to those responsibilities? Identify your weakest areas within those responsibilities and brainstorm ideas about how you will make them strong. For example, you may consider training that can help you shore up your skills, or ask for critical feedback on how to improve from someone you trust. Or, you may decide to read a book on how to manage multiple priorities and start taking steps to build a high impact week.
A Goal Without a Deadline = a Daydream
Break your ideas down into manageable tasks and set deadlines focusing on one task at a time, every day. Don’t be frustrated the first time you don’t make a deadline, just extend it. Deadlines to goals are estimates, but without self-imposed deadlines, you may allow other non-priority tasks to get in the way of success. You will become better and better at estimating the time it takes to accomplish a task as time goes forward.
What about Obstacles?
If you apply the 80/20 rule to the obstacles between you and your professional goals, 20% of the obstacles you encounter are things you can’t control (like a hostile work environment or a company’s financial position) and 80% of the obstacles will be within the power of your control (like your character traits, habits, education and experience). Two primary obstacles to achieving your career goals are fear and doubt. The good news about this is fear and doubt are learned emotions and can be minimized by strengthening those things you can control: your positive character traits, good habits, education and experience.
Only 3 to 5% write down their goals for the New Year — maybe that’s why so many people are not living the life they dream about! It may also surprise you to know that the average number of times a person will try to achieve a new goal is less than one … it is not hard to get ahead of this average! You are an unique individual with inherent values that no else possesses. Write down your goals, break them down into smaller, measurable tasks with deadlines, understand that more obstacles will be under your control than out of your control, and you’ll boost your career in 2010 by demonstrating your unique and irreplaceable value-add.
