Re-energize Your Career Goals in 2005

As we enter 2005, everyone is setting about achieving his or her new years’ resolution. By conducting a personal stocktake, deciding where you want to be, making a plan and staying on track with that plan. You can increase your success in 2005.

Conduct a personal stocktake
Assess where you are and what have you achieved in the last 12 months. Make a list and consider: What were the highs? What were the lows? What did you enjoy the most? What did you achieve career-wise? Have you achieved a good work/life balance?

Where would you like to be?
Now that you have assessed your progress in 2004 start to think about where you would like to be in your career and personal life. Be completely open and honest with yourself by listing all of your dreams and goals. Even list the things that may be out of your reach.

Set about making a plan
Now that you have assessed what you have achieved in the past and what you want to achieve in the future, start to make a plan of how you can get to where you really want to be. Consider what steps you have to take from where you are today in order to get to where you ultimately want to be. Work out what you have to do to get to the position you desire in your career and life. Then think about how long it will take to get there. Plan out what you have to achieve in the year and then break it down to what you have to do each month, and even each week.

How to stay on track with your plan
We all know from experience that it is one thing to have a great plan but a whole other thing to actually stick to the plan.

The following are some tips to keep you focused on your plan and ultimately achieve your objectives:

• Make it fun – As Ita Buttrose once said “If you love your job, then you never have to work another day in your life”. Use this concept when setting goals find fun ways to achieve the things you want to achieve.
• Get a coach - hire a professional coach to keep you on track. If you can’t afford a coach right now then get a friend to help, someone who is creative and motivating, and someone who will keep you on track and help you to enjoy the process
• Set achievable goals – Don’t set yourself up for failure by setting goals that are too high. Start by setting small goals and reward yourself each time that you achieve one of the goals
• Remember it takes 21 days to form a new habit. If you remember this then it will help you to get through those tough days
• Self-Analyse – Each day analyse your progress, what did you do well what could you have done better. Be kind but thorough in your self analysis
• Visualise success – Imagine yourself having achieved the goal or objective. Think about how you will feel!
• Assess your progress throughout the year.

By Lisa O'Brien (lisa@careerscoach.com.au)

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