Not getting the results you want in your career Change the plan, not the goal. - Sterling Career Concepts

Not getting the results you want in your career Change the plan, not the goal. Not getting the results you want in your career? Change the plan, not the goal. We’ve been discussing career goals for 2014 in this series of posts. I’ve helped you define a plan by outlining the steps needed to achieve your goals. This post is the last of 4-part series and includes a one-two combo to wrap things up: take action, and measure progress. First, take action! With your tasks outlined, you now have a checklist of items to take action. If you are working through the steps and discover you need to add additional items, update your task list. You may also discover additional projects that need to be completed to make the next step â€" and the overall goal â€" easier to accomplish. You may also find that you need to make adjustments to your timeline. For example: If you discover that a six-month program to learn about social media would help you land your new marketing job, you might adjust your goal deadline to March 1, 2015, if the program won’t be completed until late December 2014. This would give you time to put some of the new skills into practice before you put them on your résumé. As you work your way through your task list, focus on the actions you are taking, realizing that if you are taking the right actions, these should eventually lead to the results you seek. Remember: If you’re not getting the results you want, change the plan, not the goal. Re-examine your tasks and see if there is something you are missing. It can also be helpful to get outside feedback. Enlisting the help of an accountability partner â€" a friend, family member, coach, résumé writer, or therapist â€" can provide valuable perspective on your progress. This individual can also keep you on track, making sure you are working through your task list. And if there is a specific area where you need help in order to cross the task off your list, be sure to ask for assistance. For example: Writing a résumé to support a career change can be difficult. Enlisting the help of a professional résumé writer can help you cross that task off your list. Keys to success â€" • What help or outside assistance do you need to reach your goal? • Who is your accountability partner? Second, measure progress! With long-term projects such as a job search, it can help to periodically assess where you are to make sure you’re on the right road. If you miss a step along the way â€" or take a “wrong turn” â€" you can find yourself a long way from your intended destination. Be sure to plan periodic assessments of your progress along the way. This can be a monthly “check-up” where you review your plan and make any necessary changes or a quarterly review. Key to success â€" • How close (or far away) are you to reaching your goal at this moment? • Do you need to make any adjustments in the goal, tasks, or deadline? Taking the time to think through â€" and plan out â€" your career roadmap is an important step in helping you create the career you want for yourself. If you don’t, you may find your career stuck or stalled. I wouldn’t want you to wake up next January 1st wondering, “Why am I still here?” If you want to achieve more in your professional life, invest some time and effort now in a career plan. Part of that investment may be hiring a career professional to create a resume or other career materials. To your career success!