“The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never score.”
If you’re not familiar with the late American historian and novelist Bill Copeland, reading words like these will help you understand why he was an award-winner and a trailblazer in his time.
The term “goal setting” may sound like a cliché that makes you want to cringe or maybe yawn at the very thought. But, without goals, you might as well just shut the power and energy off on getting ahead in your career, much less on helping others to do the same.
Goal setting should be SMART … and also HARD.
You’ve probably heard of the concept of SMART goals. It’s been around for a while, and with good reason. Targeting SMART goals – specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based – give you the framework you need to achieve desired milestones, both in and outside of work.
- Divide your goals into two categories: short-term and long-term. Starting with your short-term list becomes a realistic, manageable process as you move step by step towards larger, big-picture milestones. For instance, if your long-term goal is to be promoted to your department’s head, your short-term goals may include completing your MBA studies or earning a related certification.
- Personal and professional goals go hand in hand. As you advance your interests through experience in areas like hobbies, sports, community service, or the arts, you hone skills that are often transferable into the world of work. Plus, spending time on things that spike your passion outside of work can help you be more focused and energized when you return to the office.
- What’s a HARD goal? Just as personal goals compliment professional goals, HARD goals add new dynamics and perspectives to SMART goals. HARD stands for: heartfelt (having an emotional attachment to your goals), animated (being able to visualize your goals by painting a realistic mental picture of them), required (determining what’s necessary and then setting deadlines to achieve goals), and difficult (yup – difficult! You need to identify any potential roadblocks standing in the way of your goals and figure out how to obliterate them.)
It’s worth all the work.
Effective goal setting will bring you greater peace of mind in everything you take on in life. When you have clear objectives, you know exactly what you’re working toward. You can free your mind from sweating the small, unnecessary stuff and concentrate on what really counts. You communicate more effectively, take responsibility for your own actions, and become accountable for your own success. Not bad, right?
Work with a Team of Experts
As you set – and surpass – your talent management career goals, why not work with a team of experts who focus solely on the recruitment industry? At Search Wizards, we’re recruiters ourselves, so we get it – and we look forward to a chance to share in your success. Contact us today to hear more.