It’s that time of the year again! Another year has passed, and we look upon a fresh slate ready to be filled with exciting stories.
January is one of the most popular times for setting goals - it serves as a new beginning, a chance to look back on the previous year, set an intention to move forward. Here are a few things to keep in mind while setting your goals this year
1. Set goals carefully
Make sure to design your goals properly to get the best out of your efforts. Designing goals efficiently is the first step to success - one way to do so is by following the SMART framework.
This means, you set a goal which is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely. Referring to these pointers while designing your goals can help eliminate any ambiguity and provide the clarity to plan and achieve your goals.
For example, setting a goal like “I will learn something new”, is very vague. What counts as something new? How is that going to help you in your personal or professional life? How do you measure if you are on the right track?
Instead, set something like “I will learn the basics of html to create my own simple website in 6 months”. Here, we have a clear objective, a timeline, and specifics of the goal to build a plan to work on.
2.Be ok to ask help
Your goal setting journey does not mean that you have to carry out the entire process on your own! Do not hesitate to seek support from your circle. Being open and transparent about the help you need can facilitate your success by boosting your motivation, finding resources, and gaining new perspectives. You can reach out to your close friends and family, network with field experts, or reach out to professionals for advice.
For example, if you need clarity in understanding what goals could be helpful for you and how you can work towards them, you can reach out to career coach for personal guidance. If you feel that you need a support system to keep you going and hold you accountable, ask a friend or family member to join you or cheer you on!
3.Expect to Invest
Working towards your goals requires consistent efforts and discipline, not just bursts of enthusiasm. You will need to set aside time and resources to prioritize and build your routine to accommodate these needs. While it might seem difficult or scary, trust the process and take things one at a time, day by day. Every single effort mounts to a gratifying result.
For example, if you want to return to work after taking a break, you have to do some background work before! Take time out to revamp your portfolio, understand the current industry atmosphere, put in the time and money to upskill yourself or gain some certifications. Keep aside an hour daily to apply for opportunities and prepare for interviews.
4. Be Patient
Even if you have the perfect plan and diligently work towards your goal everyday, you may not find results instantly - and that is perfectly normal. Success is a culmination of continuous efforts and is not a linear journey. Do not be discouraged if you feel that things are not going according to the timeline you set. Keep moving forward and have faith in yourself.
For example, you might have thought you would get a job after a month, and you feel dejected wondering if you are failing. While it might seem like it’s “your fault”, in reality there are many factors out of your control and not at all against you personally. Instead, all you can do is continue to put in effort, re analyze and recalibrate, and have faith in your path.
6.Don't be afraid
The whole process of goal setting and achieving can be incredibly daunting. A good way to ease the stress is by breaking down the main task into smaller parts and focusing on those, rather than taking it as one big chunk. A common reason for staying in our comfort zones and avoiding to push past our limits is fear. Remember, you only miss 100% of the chances you don’t take! Your circumstances do not define you, don’t be bogged down by fears related to your past, your break etc. Keep in mind that rejection and failure is simply another part of life, it does not indicate your worth. Success is not always black and white, your experiences and learnings shape you and redirect you in finding your true calling.
Keeping these pointers in mind will allow you to enjoy the process to success. Wishing you all a very prosperous new Year!
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Her Second Innings supports women professionals on a sabbatical in their journey of getting back to work. The mission of HSI is to guide women to achieve financial independence. Support from HSI comes in the form of job interviews, reskilling programs in Automation, and, free Career Guidance Counselling. Sign up with us and complete your profile to get a call from our counselors to know your job fit.
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