The Importance of Setting Realistic Career Goals

Some people seem born to set goals. They make to-do lists every day and feel an enormous sense of satisfaction each time they cross an item off. Not only that, but they also hold other goals as well. For people who are not natural goal setters, it all seems more than a bit bewildering. The idea of owning a business might appeal to them, but they envision it more as a pleasant daydream, rather than a goal that will one day manifest itself after years of hard work.

The problem for these people is a lack of goal setting skills. Though it may seem natural to assume that people either are or are not goal setters, the truth is that goal setting can be learned. Learning to be a goal oriented person is not an overnight process; rather it requires months, and in some cases years, of effort. When the goals are worthwhile and meaningful to the individual, however, it becomes easier to make the necessary changes and sacrifices.

The secret to making career goals is to break each one down into the step of a process. Of course, the best goals begin with a dream. This dream will become the ultimate goal. Perhaps one person wants to open a bakery someday while another dreams of being Vice President of Advertising at their current workplace. Whatever the ultimate goal is, it must be meaningful, something the individual sincerely desires to attain so they can keep their motivation high even when the goal seems unreachable.

Next, the ultimate goal must be broken down into incremental goals. At this point, it will probably be extremely helpful to have a pen and a piece of paper, or a computer, where each goal can be recorded. For the person wishing to open a bakery, perhaps their first incremental goal is to attend a prestigious cooking academy. Their next goal might be to work their way up through the hierarchy at an already established bakery, learning the ropes of the business as they go. Finally, they will open their own business and achieve their ultimate career goals.

Of course, each incremental goal is also broken down into parts. The prospective bakery owner must apply to the cooking academy and be accepted. Then he or she must attend classes every day, complete all assignments successfully, and graduate. Perhaps breaking each goal down further and further sounds like a tiresome process, but in actuality it is tremendously helpful. The smaller the goal, the easier it is to achieve, and each completed goal should serve to spur the individual on to the next step and the next. As each goal is met, the ultimate goal becomes a more tangible reality, which keeps motivation high.

This process of setting ultimate career goals can be one that requires years to accomplish. Consequently, it is important to periodically review the ultimate goal and which steps to get there have been completed. People change and so do their desires. They may be distracted by other career opportunities along the way. At such times, it is important to reflect on the original ultimate goal. Is it still as meaningful as it once was or does a new opportunity sound even more promising? Although a great deal of reflection and soul searching may be necessary to reach a conclusion, the goal setting skills learned should serve to help the individual to decide to either stay the course, or embark on an entirely new adventure.