The January buzz is New Year’s resolutions. But this can get old fast as you recall past years and unfulfilled resolutions. You may ask yourself what the point is in making resolutions when you know that you won’t satisfy them. Stop right there. It’s time to change that mindset.
There are always going to be excuses for putting off plans. These excuses get in your way and cause you to delay small and big changes. Then you start finding year after year that you’ve made little progress on your career or life goals. And that gets upsetting. Make a mental shift in 2016, so that you can get moving.
1. Explore the core. First, ask yourself, “Why is this happening?” Is it fear? This is a common reason for putting off major resolutions, and it can be due to emotional or financial anxiety. Remind yourself that everyone has troubles, whether you know of them or not. There are those who pity themselves for their problems and wallow in them. Others decide not to let them get in the way of their careers and lives and work around them. If you are concerned about the effect a change may have on your personal life, talk to people close to you. It is often easier to work things through with those we trust and respect.
2. Decide on your end goal. Once you understand what is holding you back, return to your career goal. Have you always wanted to develop a new skill? Are you looking to change careers? Do you want to start a business or become a freelancer? Remind yourself that this is your end goal, and the timeline is up to you. There is nothing that says it has to be accomplished by December or even next year.
3. Look for examples. Many successful entrepreneurs started from zero or in debt and decided to take a leap of faith. They didn’t have everything perfectly planned from the beginning. Most will tell you that their business plans changed significantly as they set up and grew their businesses. No one knows how to do everything or how everything works. And you can learn a lot from experts who were in similar positions.
If you’re thinking about a career change, the answers are not going to be found online or in a job description. You need to engage with people in that career to help you figure out what is most important for you to focus on to get there. It could be as easy as translating your skills clearly in your resume. It might require coursework or a certification.
Ask yourself a few questions if you want to change careers. Explore what you like and dislike about your current career. Is it your company or your career that causes these dislikes? Examine which things are most enjoyable for you at work. Is it working with clients, writing or crunching numbers? Think about whether those responsibilities are part of the new career you are considering. Ask how long it will take to make a comfortable living in this new career.
4. Think small. When you inflict a deadline on the goal you’re trying to reach, you can increase or decrease your stress level, depending on your personality and how you relate to deadlines. Either way, start with small goals to help you reach the larger one. How quickly you want to reach your end goal will determine how fast you set out to accomplish the smaller steps. They can be anything from “contact one person in this career field per week” to “complete a relevant course online in the next three months.” Make your small goals as specific as possible.
5. Stay positive. While it’s inevitable that certain parts of this process will dissuade you from making a change, try not to let yourself be swept into negativity. That can slow you down. Some advice you get will be valuable, and other guidance may not. If this is something you definitely want to pursue, don’t let one person’s opinion influence you. Take into account all the research you’ve done and do more if necessary. Remember that others’ opinions are derived from their experiences and are skewed as a result. They don’t know everything about you or your circumstances. Only you can decide the right choice for your career.
6. Don’t wait. It’s tempting to wait. We often put things off for a better day, time or year. But the more excuses that we add to the pile, the less likely it becomes that we will ever fulfill our goals. You’ll become more scared and unwilling to jump. Tell yourself that there is never going to be the right time, or even a good time, because career and life changes are unavoidable. You might as well get started now, so that you’re on the road to where you’d like to be.
This year, act on your career and make a move toward your long-term goals. Don’t wait for the right time or circumstances. Do it now. Decide on your end goal, do your research and outline small milestones. Throughout the process, ignore negative thoughts as much as you can and stay positive. Only you can jump-start the change.
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How to Start Making Progress on Long-Term Career Goals originally appeared on usnews.com
