Are you ready to redefine your professional self in 2014? Here are some tips to assist you on your journey.
1. Clearly define your objectives in writing. Writing down your objectives raises the likelihood of attaining your chosen goals by at least 75%. It will increase your level of commitment, clarifies necessary actions in the achievement process, and helps you remember vital details.
2. Define the intent of your ambitions. Link your goals to a practical, specific purposes. To strengthen your personal motivation, base your goals on inspiration, not just on pure logic.
3.Create an action plan, set deadlines and take action. List sub goals. Divide each main goal into logical progressive steps. Set deadlines for completing each step, and complete the steps on time.
4. List your supportive resources. Examples of supportive resources include mentors, books, education and learning, people who encourage you to persevere, and printed as well as online reference materials.
5. Make a public commitment. If appropriate, share your objectives with someone who encourages you to go the extra mile. This will raise your sense of accountability.
6. Be realistic about your limitations. For example, do not set a short term goal to get a new job that requires more training. Set separate goals to get an education, take an interim job, and then reach your ultimate goal.
7. Use positive self-talk and affirmation statements. Do this each and every day. Write down your statements and post them prominently in your bedroom, on your fridge, your desktop at work, and so that you can see them in the mirror in your car.
8. Practice. Practice. Practice. Practice new skills regularly. Get additional information, training, coaching and feedback on your progress.
9. Persevere. Be tenacious in pursuing your goals. It’s important to know when you need to change goals, or simply stay the course until you succeed.
10. Chart your progress. A long series of check marks on a calendar or a wall chart can actually motivate you by providing a significant sense of achievement.
11. Assess and revise your goals as required. Evaluate your ongoing development. Experiment from time to time with new approaches, especially if you are not getting the results you would like. Most importantly remember to be patient.
12. Reward yourself. Rewards are excellent motivators.
Remember – your professional goals are significant to you and your success. By setting clear goals you are on the road to creating the career you want. Following the 12 steps outlined, enables you to focus your efforts and puts you back in the driver seat of your career.
