Developing a SUCCESSFUL career vision, goals

April 8, 2014 by Ife Adedapo Leave a Comment

   

 

The ideal future you want for yourself starts with developing career vision and goals, IFE ADEDAPO writes

Many are confused and do not really know what they want in life in terms of career. As such, they keep complaining about their job and they jump at every job opportunity that comes their way. By the time it dawns on them that they are in the wrong career, it may be too late to retrace their steps.

In choosing a particular career path, many are faced with the fear of not succeeding in it. The future of such career seems bleak and the fear of failure overshadows the desire to follow the career path through.

Graduates entering the labour market for the first time may find it difficult to fit in because they lack the awareness, skill and value that most employers look out for. The same situation may apply for those who have lost touch with their area of interest because they are engaged in another career field where they derive no job satisfaction.

On the other hand, some people believe that only one career exists for them and they will not be successful in other career options. Therefore, they focus all their strength and energy on getting jobs in those areas while neglecting the easily available ones surrounding them. They are rigid in their career choice that they become ignorant of careers that share the same characteristics with their choice.

Experts say if you don’t decide where you want to go, then you will end up in a destination you don’t expect. Therefore, anticipate where you want to be in future.

A management consultant, Mrs. Adaora Ayoade, stresses the importance of setting career goals.

Career fulfilment

Experts say the feeling of dissatisfaction may arise when you are in the wrong career. You feel depressed or unhappy every time you are at work, especially when you realise there is no opportunity for career progression.

This is a good sign which indicates that you need to go back to the drawing board, re-plan and develop career vision before it becomes too late.

It helps to be proactive

Setting career goals and vision will allow you to avoid drawback that may arise if you had not. When you start thinking of the future, it gets you prepared and prevents you from making costly mistakes which you may regret. It helps you in making the right career choice from which you will derive satisfaction.

A sense of direction

It keeps you to focus on the necessary things to achieve your goals.  It allows you to make conscious decisions on the kind of job you want when you have several job offers. Ayoade says “Your career vision is what you can see in your mind and you begin to imagine it.”

How to develop realistic vision

Professionals have highlighted ways of developing vision and goals for your career.

Meditation:

To get a clear direction of what you want, experts say you should go through a critical thinking phase just to identify what you aim to achieve in life.

You need to assess yourself by asking the following questions: What skills and capabilities do I have? What are my values and priorities? What do I do easily without difficulty? How are you perceived by others? Which activity do you love most? Is the activity part of your career? If not, how can you make it part of your career? Where do you see yourself in 10, 15 or 20 years? Think about those things that seem very important to you. Then put the answers to the questions down in writing.

A career consultant, Gary Pyke, says your values signify the way you choose to live your live and the subconscious rules by which we govern ourselves. Values are not about what we say but are about what we do. Therefore, if you work in a place where the values they expect you to demonstrate are different from your own, you will not be happy there.

This means that your career vision must align with the vision of the industry where you intend to work. Put together the answers to these questions to form a vision statement.

Set career goals

Experts say before joining the labour market, every individual must have career goals that will give a sense of direction. Therefore, strategise on ways you can achieve your vision by setting goals.

Ayoade says set SMART goals, which means your goals must be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely. Ensure that your goals are achievable and time bound. Back up every written goal with actions.

Overcome your fears: Be confident in your ability to achieve the set goals. Motivate yourself to turn your vision into reality; and if you find it difficult to achieve the goals you have set for yourself, see a career consultant or a mentor who is a professional in your area of interest. The right guidance will give you a clearer picture of what you need to do to get to where you want to be.

Get more education

There are some careers that require a certain level of education that you must attain before achieving it. Such career may require advanced studies, and then you need to start working towards it by planning on the time and type of course to enrol in. But while waiting for the right qualification, get a lower-level job in a career field similar to your area of interest, and enrol in school on a part-time basis alongside.