As we kick off the new year, many of us are focused on setting professional and career goals that align with our aspirations and ambitions.

Goal setting seems simple on the surface. You define what you’d like to accomplish and take the necessary steps to make those accomplishments a reality. Setting and achieving a goal is more than simply deciding and wishing. Each year, millions of people set New Year’s resolutions. Few of those people are still on track after just ten days.

Here are some tips for setting and ACHIEVING your goals more reliably:

Set Meaningful Goals
Create goals that fill you with excitement when you think about achieving them. Significant change requires motivation, and setting meaningful goals provides the necessary drive: the more personal and significant the goal, the greater your commitment to achieving it.

Implement Small, Incremental Changes
Facilitate change by incorporating small, manageable adjustments. Patience is crucial in this process, as gradual modifications are more sustainable. This approach minimizes resistance to change and enhances the likelihood of successful goal attainment. For example, allocate 15 minutes a day towards working on your goal and gradually incorporate more time into your schedule over several weeks.

Be Accountable
While rewards can motivate, sustaining behavioral changes may require a different approach. Holding yourself accountable for lapses in commitment can be more effective. Consider self-imposed consequences for not working towards your goal, such as putting money into a “procrastination jar” or grounding yourself from doing something you enjoy until you meet your commitment.

Keep Goals Believable
Ensure that your goals are challenging yet realistic. Setting unattainable goals may discourage effort and deter progress. Strive for a balance that stretches your capabilities without overwhelming you, fostering a sense of achievability and motivation.

Track Your Progress
Measuring your progress is extremely important. It provides information on how well you’re doing. You can’t know if you’re making progress toward your goal if you don’t measure it. You can shift your strategy if you realize you’re not doing well. It can also provide a boost of enthusiasm and positivity. When you’re making progress, you feel excited.

Anticipate and Overcome Setbacks
Acknowledge that the path to achieving professional goals is seldom without obstacles. Be prepared for setbacks by planning to navigate failures and frustrations. Reach out to a supportive colleague, revisit the purpose of your goals, or reflect on past successes to stay resilient in the face of challenges. If it helps, reframe your thinking about failure.

Recognize the Necessity of Goals
Understand that setting and pursuing professional goals are essential for intentional career growth. Proactively shape your career path through well-defined goals rather than relying on luck and circumstance.

I’d love to hear about your professional and career goals. Please do me a favor and comment on this blog post or email me at amy@cambiumdevelopment.com to share your goals. It will help me determine what content will most benefit you in future blogs.

Wishing you the best!