Setting career goals shouldn’t just be an exercise you begrudgingly do because your company “forces” you. Similar to other areas of your life (like finances and fitness), your career requires strategic goals to remain in top shape. To ensure this happens, it’s important to understand how to set good career goals.

Like other goals, you want to make sure that your career goals are SMART - specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. But beyond that, you want to also make sure the goals will move the needle in helping you become who you desire to be. Here are my go-to steps for setting career goals:

1. Identify/review your ideal “five-year self.”

Think through your answers to the following questions: What will you be doing? What do you hope to have accomplished? What connections will you have made? Why are these things important? It’s important that you be realistic and honest in your assessment to set yourself up for success.

2. Brainstorm ideas to get you closer to your “five-year self.”

Set a timer for 15 minutes, and just let the ideas flow! Are you planning to change career paths altogether? Do you need to take a course or volunteer for a project outside of your main area of expertise? Do you need to focus on networking? Write down everything that comes to mind. If you’re struggling to come up with ideas, start with the 3 goals every professional should have each year.

3. Based on the ideas you brainstormed, what can you reasonably accomplish this year?

As a general rule of thumb, I target 3 goals specific to my current company and at least 2 personal development goals each year. Depending on where you are in your career, the numbers may be different. For example, if you’re planning to leave your current employer this year, you may only have one goal of maintaining the status quo until you can make your departure. The key is to strike a healthy balance - you don’t overwhelm yourself with too many goals or underwhelm yourself with too little.

4. Stretch yourself a bit.

Ok, this one is specifically for those of you who are like me. I used to love setting goals with the thought that I would definitely knock them out in the allotted timeframe. I’ve since learned that goals should scare you a bit - if they don’t, you may be thinking too small.

5. Review with your mentor.

We all have blind spots. So before you get too far down your planning path, run your goals by your mentor so they can point out any considerations you may have overlooked.

If you don’t have a mentor, finding one should definitely be one of your goals this year. The value the right mentor can provide cannot be overstated.

Next steps

Once you have your good career goals, share them with an accountability partner to help you stay on track. If you’re in need of an accountability partner, join The Winner’s Circle so you can get matched with another woman preparing to win in the workplace now!

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