4 sure-fire ways to reach your career goals this year

As the saying goes, choose a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life. Here’s how to set yourself up for success and achieve the career you dream of.

Many of us have a dream job, but landing it and achieving our career goals are often harder than we expect. 

The start of a new year is a time for resolutions and assessing your ambitions.

If reaching your career goals is at the top of your list – whether you’re hoping to land an executive position, launch your own business, or start a new job – it’s time to stop daydreaming and make a plan.

“When assessing what it is that you really want from your job and career, it’s helpful to break it down into specific goals,” managing director of people2people Recruitment Victoria Erin Devlin says.

”These goals underpin your career plan and are important to establish before you begin applying for jobs.”

To kick off the new year, follow these steps to move forward in your career, no matter what your desired outcome is.

Be SMART

Co-founder of Cleverbean Alina Hunter suggests you stick to SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based) goals. 

“SMART goals give you clarity, accountability and focus that clearly guides your ‘how’,” Alina says. 

According to Erin, a career plan is the best way to track your progress. 

“You may take a more interesting path along the way, but having a vision in your mind and goals to work towards can be incredibly powerful,” Erin explains. 

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Find clarity

“I believe there are only two goals you need – an idea of your big picture, and the detail of your next goal and how you’ll achieve it,” Alina says.

This will give you both a North Star and a laser focus on goal-setting, providing an extra kick of motivation when you need it most. 

But, Alina says, avoid planning every step to the smallest details as this will distract you from the next actionable step. 

Talk to others

Motivation can be hard to maintain, but checking in with yourself and loved ones can keep you on the right track.

 “They care about you and often know you better than you know yourself,” Alina says.

Relying on mentors and those closest to you can help guide you through difficult times, and they may offer advice for reaching your goals. 

Don’t have a mentor to talk to? Alina suggests you chat with anyone who’ll listen. 

“You never know what nugget of gold you get from chatting to people,” she says. 

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Don’t give up on your career goals

Keep in mind that things don’t always go to plan – and that’s ok. 

“See the opportunity in every new curve ball,” Alina says. 

It’s also important to welcome change. 

“You may have just one overarching goal, or several that you’d like to explore,” Erin says. 

“Remember that goals can be malleable and may change over time as your needs, wants and desires change.”

With every hiccup or mistake comes an important lesson, so embrace the outcome and keep moving forward. 

“Get undoubtedly accountable and take action,” Alina says. 

“This isn’t the year for excuses; and yes, anything that starts with the word ‘because’ is an excuse!” 

Written by Alexandra Feiam.