How To (Really, Truly, Actually) Stick To Your Career Goals This Year

How To (Really, Truly, Actually) Stick To Your Career Goals This Year Happy New Year Whether youre hibernating after last nights celebrations or youre on a mission to have a productive first day of the year, we hope youre taking a break from work today. Either way, youve probably been doing some thinking about your career goals for this year...which sometimes seems pointless. Because another year down just means another year of neglected resolutions, right? Wrong. We want to help you to actually make 2017 different. If this dog can learn to eat like a human, you can stick to your resolutions in 2017 Heres how youre going to do itBefore you decide on your resolutions, think about your motivations for those goals. Oftentimes we almost mindlessly jot down a list of abstract things we want to accomplish. Get promoted, get a raise, find a new jobthese are goals most everyone has in mind, at least at some point, because they are clear manifestations of progredienz in our careers. But its c rucial to understand your motivations before rahmen goals that are somewhat arbitrary. For example, perhaps youd like to land a new job -- but is an entirely new gig really what youre aiming for? Think first about whether youd rather try to make a lateral move within your company. If that doesnt seem appealing, maybe theres a goal you can set in your current job -- whether it involves a conversation with your boss or your direct reports, or whether it involves asking for a raise or promotion -- that would make you happier. Similarly, if youre hoping for a raise or a promotion, take a minute to consider why. Are you feeling underappreciated or undervalued at work? Do you foresee the situation improving if you get a better title or paycheck? Maybe you do, but be honest with yourself -- the root of the problem might be deeper than compensation maybe what youre really looking for is a transition to a new company.The bottom line is that you need to try to get to the heart of your desires in order to set goals that make sense and will motivate you. Because getting a raise isnt going to solve everything if you really hate where youre working -- and you want to strive for what will ultimately make you your happiest and best self. Along the saatkorn lines, make sure youre working toward something thats manageable. Its great to aim high, but realistically, youre not going to become a CEO if you have one year of experience under your belt. If you start out the year by reaching for something thats, well, completely out of your reach, youre going to get discouraged, and in turn, probably less productive. So be ambitious and challenge yourself, but make sure to remain practical.Once you figure out a sensible list of resolutions (or, hey, even just one resolution), make a plan to keep yourself on track....and Write. It. Down. Youre going to have a hard time staying committed to your long term goals if you dont pace yourself with a timeline that includes some smaller steps th at will help you get to the finish line. Whether you manage your to-do list in a calendar on your phone or you like an old school pen and paper checklist, it helps to have visual reminders. Not to mention that physically checking off or marking your progress will help to keep you motivated. For example, if youre going to ask for a raise, youll first need to track and outline your success so that you have some concrete evidence that you deserve what youre asking for. If you have emails or reports that highlight that youve been performing well, print those out and cross this step off your list. It will encourage you to move on to your next short-term goal, which might be doing research to figure out how much you should be asking for.Anticipate setbacks and failure. Most of us make resolutions without pausing to think through what might happen if we fail. Dont get us wrong -- were all for the glass-half-full-attitude -- but if you face a bit of rejection that you arent expecting, it co uld throw you totally off course. Dont be pessimistic, but try to evaluate what obstacles you might face in trying to reach your goals. This way youll be better prepared to react appropriately if something does thwart your progress. Follow these steps and rest assured that this is the year when youre really going to make things happen. Fairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women.Join us by reviewing your employer