A new year brings new-found hopes and possibilities. Let’s make 2011 the year that you supercharge your career! Whether you want to seek a promotion, pursue a career switch, or start your own business, the following tips will enable you to reach your career dreams.
1) Assess your career situation- think about how satisfied you are in your job and career. Do you feel that you deserve a raise? Is it time to make a job or career change? Have you considered starting your own business? Examine your current career situation and what you might wish to change in 2011.
2) Develop SMART goals- I am often told by some of my clients that they don’t set goals, because they never reach them. I generally tell them that the reason they do not reach their goals, is because they may not have been SMART, as in Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely goals. For instance, rather than say, “I want to make more money this year,” develop a SMART goal which says “I would like to ask for a 10% raise in 6 months.” The raise request is Specific, 10% is Measurable, Attainable and Realistic (if there is a history of such raises in your company), and 6 months makes it Timely. Research indicates that people who set and share their goals are more successful than those who do not. I encourage you to develop 3-4 SMART career goals this year to guide and motivate you.
3) Consider the barriers to your goals- think about what may prevent you from reaching your goals. Is it lack of motivation or commitment? Poor financial planning? Not enough support from friends and family? Once you identify the potential roadblocks to your career advancement, you can create a strategy to overcome them. Be honest about your willingness to change your life and confidence to do so. If you need assistance, seek support from a career coach or trusted mentors.
4) Take action- once you have developed your SMART goals, and created a strategy to defeat potential pitfalls, it is time to act. A career switch may entail going back to school. A promotion may require you to apply internally for positions or to construct an argument with your supervisor outlining the reasons for such a move. Whatever your goals, you must implement a plan to gauge your success.
5) Evaluate the goals- once you take action, the final step is to evaluate your success or lack thereof. By understanding the steps you took, it may mean modifying your SMART goals or creating new ones.
A new year is filled with endless opportunities. Now is the time to begin the journey to advance your career life and to achieve your dreams by utilizing these five simple steps.
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