Small Goals, Big Wins

Whether you’re looking for a new job, figuring out your next steps for your career, or simply finding your career clarity, you might end up with many roadblocks along the way.

It is exhausting!

The constant rejections, the unknown, the fear. Not to mention, these goals are so broad and require us to do so many things. I mean, where do we even start? If giving up is an option, many of us might.

Here is the not so secret-secret.

Set little goals. Manageable goals.

Here’s why this works.  When you have a large goal or task, it can be overwhelming and intimidating.  And then you’ll start thinking it is impossible or how hard it is going to be or how long it is going to take.  And when you start moving forward, you’ll keep looking at your end goal and think ‘I still don’t know what I want to do! I still haven’t found a job!’.

When you break it down to smaller manageable goals, each goal has its own timeline.  You can see the end and check them off your list.

Here’s how you can start this process.  

1. Write down all the steps you think you’ll need to do to achieve this goal.

2. Ask these 3 Qs:

   a. What is the absolute minimum you can do from this list right now?

   b. In an ideal world (if time & resources are not an issue), what would you do right now from this list?

   c. Realistically, what can you handle from this list?

3. Your answer to C will be your new focus.

Now use SMART to help you with your new smaller manageable goal.

S - What are the SPECIFICS you need to do for this goal (be as specific as possible)?

M - How can you MEASURE your specifics?

A - Is this ACHIEVEABLE?

R - How REASONABLE is it for you to get this done given your life situation?

T - What is the TIMELINE for completion?

Once you’re done each smaller manageable goal, celebrate!  Then restart the process. Ask your 3Qs, then use SMART to help you complete that goal.

Don’t worry if you find something isn’t working. For example, you don’t think you can finish in the timeline you set for yourself because things are taking longer then you anticipated.  It’s a guideline, things can be changed.

One last important question I ask my clients to ensure success…What accountability if any do you need to complete this goal? Let’s face it, we’re human beings and we have lives. Accountability is as important as the goal itself.  

You’re all set! Go ahead and create that list and chunk it down to smaller manageable goals.

If you want, send me your first SMART goal including the timeline, I can be your accountability.