Inspired by a Dream Goal Setting

By Gregg Taylor

Every journey begins with knowing where you are, choosing a destination and planning how to get there. Our work and career lives are a type of journey, the success of which depends on similar planning. This means carefully assessing our current careers and what it will take to be successful, planning our future career goals, and outlining the steps (including professional development) that will get us to where we want to go.

When I’m asked about goal setting, I like to talk about it in terms of the big picture. If I don’t have clear goals – long term goals broken down into short term steps – then I won’t have any idea of what’s important to do on a day to day basis.

One book I like to refer to is Going The Distance by Rick Hansen & Joan Laub (1994). Yes, I mean the Rick Hansen from BC who achieved his dream of a world tour in his wheelchair. The book outlines his understanding of what it took to make the tour happen – and what it took to actually complete it too. As he describes the theory of goal setting and achievement, he inserts stories of his own experience on the tour. It’s very inspirational.

Here are the basic steps that he outlines in the book for goal setting and personal change:

1) Set your goal: identify a meaningful personal goal – something that you can get excited about or has true personal meaning.

2) Cultivate your personal vision: create a clear visualization of what it would be like if you achieved the goal.

3) Plan to reach the goal: design a realistic plan broken down into small achievable steps.

4) Take risks: whenever we try something new we’re taking a risk. Get support if you need it.

5) Embrace the feelings: as you get started, powerful feelings will arise – both positive and discouraging. Find constructive ways to express these feelings rather than ignoring them.

6) Actively strive: If your goal is truly challenging, then it won’t be easy (that’s why we do all that planning!). You will face obstacles and will need to push through or find alternative routes.

7) Experience success: When you make it to the goal, make an event of it – reward yourself and make it memorable. The memory of this feeling will help keep you going on your way to your next goal.

You will become successful when you are clear with what you want and when you take the necessary steps to move forward. When planning goals specific to your career future, making a personal commitment to lifelong learning and career development will enhance your opportunities, strengthen your position and ultimately make you more competitive in the job market.

To succeed, you must become a self-directed initiator, intentionally planning how to improve your present job performance and developing strategies for achieving future career goals.

Career Management Plan 

A comprehensive career management plan should include the following steps:

· Analyzing the requirements of your present career or job.

· Tracking your accomplishments, skills and credentials

· Anticipating trends in new skills & technology.

· Developing your vision of a fulfilling career.

· Planning professional development, and taking training to enhance your career effectiveness now and to prepare you to take advantage of future opportunities.

· Creating a resume and/or career portfolio that clearly demonstrates your experience, training, credentials, accomplishments and successes.

It’s hard to achieve goals alone because we so easily get distracted or discouraged. Be sure to get together with friends, hire a personal career coach, or, if you're unemployed, join a free career planning or job search program in your community. Look up Career & Vocational Services in the yellow pages or contact your local Human Resources Development Canada office.

About Gregg Taylor
Maximizing peoples’ potential – that describes the purpose behind Gregg’s work. Whether coaching people through career transition, facilitating workshops within organizations, or coordinating training programs, Gregg’s one desire is to help people grow in their personal and professional effectiveness.