How to Set Career Goals for Growth

How I used to plan my career growth: ⇒ Work really hard ⇒ Keep my head down ⇒ Wait the appropriate amount of time ⇒ Pray and hope I’d get promoted at the next review cycle How I’d do it now: ⇒ Determine my top 3 career values as they stand RIGHT NOW ⇒ Identify my strengths, & where I’m using them (or not) ⇒ Pinpoint opportunities to do more of what I love & less of what I don’t ⇒ Map stakeholders to designate decision-makers, advocates, influencers, and mentors ⇒ Create a strategic plan to connect & nurture relationships with these stakeholders CONSISTENTLY (not just set it and forget it) ⇒ Vocalize my career goals, share my progress & how it contributes to organizational goals, and solicit feedback at least once a quarter ⇒ Plot 1 significant learning opportunity/year to expand my skills ⇒ Reflect on 12 themes a year to deepen my leadership skills ⇒ Collaborate with a community of growth-minded professionals who are just as committed to their personal development and career growth Notice anything different about these approaches? Both of them take effort, but only one of them works. And here’s the thing: you don’t have to do it alone. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that growth doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s a complete game-changer when you surround yourself with people who share your ambition, can offer guidance, and challenge you to think bigger. That’s why I’m so excited about my latest initiative—a new way to connect, grow, and level up alongside a community of driven, growth-minded professionals. I can’t share all the details yet, but trust me, it’s going to be a powerful resource for anyone ready to take control of their career & unlock their next breakthrough. STAY TUNED: Big things are coming! In the meantime, let’s inspire each other: ✨ What’s ONE thing you’re doing this year to be the CEO of your career? #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #EmpoweredByAnne #CareerAdvice #CareerDevelopment

New Year, new possibilities! 🔥 Forbes reveals that 38% of 2024 resolutions aim for financial improvement, with over 33% focusing on making more money or securing a new job. Sound familiar? Over the past 5 years, I've assisted numerous Silicon Valley professionals in achieving their dream jobs. Let's kickstart your success with a powerful Career Vision. Unfortunately, many start the year with dreams of landing a new job within 3-6 months, only to find nothing changed by December 31. The #1 reason is lacking a Career Vision. Other hurdles include: - Lack of confidence - Burnout or busyness - Comfort in existing roles - A resume lacking impact or keyword optimization Change is possible. Here's your guide to creating a Career Vision: STEP 1: Reflect on Your Values, Skills, and Passions Clarify your goals and motivations. Define your "why" for those goals. Identify long-term objectives and align them with short or medium-term job titles. STEP 2: Set Specific and Measurable Goals Map out intermediate milestones between your current position and "Landed my dream job!" Examples: - Set up saved job searches on LinkedIn. - Optimize resume, LinkedIn, and cover letter. - Reach out to network for referrals. - Land x interviews within y months. - Hire a career coach. - Land offers and negotiate salary. - Decide on an offer and confirm a start date. Celebrate success! STEP 3: Develop a Plan of Action Get specific about action steps: - Time block on Google Calendar every Mon, Wed, Fri from 10 am - 12 pm. - Apply to at least 20 jobs weekly. - Reach out to at least 7 people for networking per week. - Complete at least 5 networking conversations per week. With clear weekly goals and a tracking system, consistent progress guarantees success. Ready to make 2024 your year? Share your Career Vision! 🚀 #CareerSuccess #NewYearNewJob #CareerVision #GoalSetting #DreamJobJourney

Your silence is killing your career. I've watched talented people get passed over for promotions for years. The common thread? They kept their ambitions to themselves. Here's the hard truth: No one is coming to rescue your career. No one will magically discover your hidden talents. No one can support dreams they don't know exist. Here’s how to start speaking up — today: 1/ Schedule a quarterly career conversation with your manager. Don't wait for review time. Develop a career growth plan with specific asks for support, mentorship or stretch assignments. 2/ After big wins, email leadership. Share the impact you've delivered and what’s next. Show you’re thinking beyond delivery. 3/ When someone asks “How’s work?” say: “I’m working toward [goal] — what challenges are you facing?” Small talk → strategic talk. 4/ Volunteer for projects tied to where you 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 to go — not just what you’re good at now. 5/ Book 15-min chats with people you admire. Ask curious questions. Listen closely. Build advocates. Your manager isn't a mind reader. Your colleagues can't recommend what they don't see. Your network can't connect you to invisible goals. The most successful people I know? They don't hope someone notices their work. They don't silently resent being overlooked. They don't expect loyalty to be rewarded automatically. They state their ambitions clearly, repeatedly, and to the right people. What career goal have you been keeping to yourself? Drop it below — you never know who’s reading. Your growth is too important to keep quiet about. --- Follow me, tap the (🔔) Omar Halabieh for daily Leadership and Career posts.

Tired of waiting for recognition? After 20 years, I've learned—hard work is the launchpad, not the whole flight. You also need strategic planning and proactive career management. Your quarterly guide to career growth: ⭐ Q1: Align with your manager—set goals, define metrics, articulate intentions. ⭐ Q2: Expand your network—share your achievements, show you're ready for a new challenge. ⭐ Q3: Seek feedback—know your standing, rectify shortcomings. ⭐ Q4: Chronicle your victories—demonstrate their value, prepare for year-end reviews. I wish I had this roadmap early in my career. Hard work is table stakes. We must combine it with strategy and active career management! #hiringandpromotion #jobs #careers #salarynegotiation

This might be counterintuitive, but... My business grew exponentially the day I stopped dreaming big. I remember working nonstop, following my “big dream” of success. Because just like you, even I’ve heard it a million times: “Dream big, and the world is yours.” “Follow your dreams, and success will find you.” But here’s the truth: Big dreams, without clear goals, fade into thin air. Sure, it’s inspiring to imagine the future— -> Building a million-dollar business -> Become the best leader Have the most amazing team But the real results come from- >>Actionable, time-bound objectives —especially when you set them early. So, the ideal time for you to set 1-3 years goal as an entrepreneur is - In September to have 4 months to plan, execute, test, modify, and reiterate from the new year itself. Here’s how I set goals for me and my client’s business to grow revenue by 20-50% Annually: ✅ Start with ‘‘What, Why, and How’ What: Identify 1-2 outcomes that matter most- ~ Example: Increase profit margins by 10%. Why: Know why it’s crucial. ~ Example: “To fund team expansion and reduce my workload.” How: Map steps to achieve it. ~ Example: Automate tasks, cut expenses, focus on high-ROI clients. ✅ Align Goals Across Your Team Your team’s goals should sync with the company’s vision. ~ Example: If your target is to grow revenue by $500K, your sales team’s goal might be to close 50% more deals, while operations focuses on streamlining delivery. In my team, my key leader’s goals are aligned with mine. ✅ Break Goals into Quarters Q1: Kickstart execution. Focus on one big move (e.g., hiring, system optimization). Q2-Q3: Monitor progress. Ask: What’s working? What’s not? Adjust before it derails. Q4: Focus on results. This is the sprin Close strong by doubling down on what’s delivering the best ROI. Most of the entrepreneurs I work with, still tend to set goals in the wrong way. So, I ensure to keep their goals on track by: Avoiding vague goals. Instead of “grow the business,” I help them set measurable targets like “add $500K in new revenue.” Peeling off the layers and making them rethink whether the goal is inspiring enough. Simplifying team priorities. Stick to 2-3 clear objectives per department. And if you didn’t set your goal back in September and now feel overwhelmed by the amount of planning left to do with limited time. I get it, balancing current demands while trying to carve out time for forward planning is stressful. Start with this: Focus on your top 3 goals that will have the biggest impact—cutting costs, hiring key roles, or improving customer retention. Take action today. Momentum builds progress. The best time to plan for 2025 was in September. The second-best time? Right now. If you want help mapping your goals to become 35% more profitable in 2025, you can send me a DM.

It's 2025 goal-setting time! 🗓️ In my coaching and mentoring conversations, I've found one framework that consistently helps professionals unlock their next level of growth. Here's what I share with every team member and mentee… 🧗♀️ The Climbing Wall Approach: Your Guide to Professional Growth in 2025! 🎯 Assess Your Career Path 🤔 Visualize your career as a climbing wall - offering multiple paths upward AND across. This mindset opens up countless opportunities for growth, whether you're deepening expertise, broadening your horizons, or reaching toward the next level in your field. The Resume Challenge 📝 Here's a powerful question to ask yourself this week: "What 3 new achievements, experiences or skills do I want on my resume by December 2025?" This simple exercise transforms vague aspirations into concrete goals. Break these down into monthly milestones and track your progress in regular one-on-ones. Align & Shine ⭐ Your growth journey starts with clear intentions. Partner with your manager to validate the skills and experience you need, and identify opportunities that align with your aspirations. Being explicit about your goals is the first step to achieving them. Also, share them in skip-level meetings. Monthly Check-In Template 📊 1. Review your 3 key goals 2. Share specific examples of progress 3. Discuss blockers and needed support 4. Align on next month's focus areas 🤝 I'm curious: What are the goal-setting tips that you've used for yourself or your team? #CareerDevelopment #Leadership #PersonalGrowth #Goals2025 #ProfessionalDevelopment #Marketing #MarketingLeadership

Professional growth without a goal is like driving without a destination. When I started my career in financial services, I had ambition but no roadmap. Here’s the reality... 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘨𝘰𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘬𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘴. The good news? Goal-setting doesn't have to be complicated. It starts with a simple question: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦? Here’s how to get clear: 1. 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 You can do this by asking yourself: Do I want to specialize in a niche like retirement planning or investment management? Am I more passionate about working one-on-one with clients, or do I want to focus on strategy? 2. 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 Big visions are overwhelming without smaller steps. If your ultimate goal is to become a CFP, set short-term milestones like choosing an education provider and then creating a study plan. 3. 𝗕𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 Life will throw curveballs. It’s okay to adjust, but don’t lose sight of the end game. Progress is better than perfection. 4. 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗜𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻 Goals in your head are just dreams. Keep your goals where you can see them daily. Writing them creates accountability (like in a journal with pages!!) 💡 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢 --->𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺, 𝘐 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘰 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 + 𝘣𝘪𝘻 𝘨𝘰𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 12 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘴. 𝘏𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦-𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳—𝘪𝘵 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘐’𝘮 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬. According to Dr. Gail Matthews, writing down your goals make you approximately 42% more likely to achieve them. The clarity you gain from setting goals saves you years of trial and error. Remember, the path to professional growth starts with clear goals—and the courage to chase them. 📌 How do you typically get clear on your goals? ///// I'm a financial advisor who coaches aspiring + existing financial advisors to their next level. 1. Sign up to my newsletter 2. Check my featured section

The hardest aspect of job searching, I think, are setting goals. Realistic goals. Goals that you can obtain and feel accomplished. Too often we focus on grandiose goals like going to the gym starting in January. Instead, job seekers should set micro, SMART goals to make progress fast. It’s encouraging to see progress as you obtain those milestones. What Makes a Goal SMART? Specific: Clear and well-defined goals pave the way for focused efforts. Ask yourself, "What exactly do I want to achieve?" Measurable: Quantify your goal to track progress. Think in terms of numbers, deadlines, or specific criteria. Achievable: Your goal should be challenging yet attainable. It's about finding the balance between aspiration and realism. Relevant: Ensure your goal aligns with your broader career aspirations and values. It should contribute to your long-term objectives. Time-Bound: Set a realistic deadline. A time frame creates urgency and prompts action. Why SMART Goals Work? SMART goals provide a clear roadmap, making it easier to organize your efforts and resources. They also offer a way to measure progress, keeping you motivated and focused. 🌟 Tip: Break down larger goals into smaller, SMART steps. This approach can make even the most ambitious goals feel more manageable and less overwhelming. 🔍 Have you set SMART goals for your career? How have they impacted your journey? I'd love to hear your experiences and insights in the comments! #smartgoals #careersuccess #goalsetting #professionalgrowth

Are you set on winning battles or planning to win the war? Setting and achieving goals is table stakes for leadership. 🚨 With business goals this is usually done in the context of strategy, mission, and vision. But what about your leadership development goals? How do you align your development goals with your vision to build a bigger future? Many leaders I coach aren’t just focused on short-term wins; they’re building a legacy, something that aligns with their values. It’s so easy to get caught up in urgent items, distracted by shiny objects, or lost in the noise of the day-to-day. Here’s the process I use myself and for clients to ensure I’m not just chasing accomplishments but building a bigger future: 1️⃣ Have a clear target ↳ Create a picture of my future self in 5 years- what I’m spending my time doing, what my spiritual and human relationships look like, what my life feels like and what impact I’m having on others. 2️⃣ Set the Roadmap ↳ I set annual goals in 4 dimensions - Spiritual, Relational, Physical, Professional. These goals align with my future self target. ↳ I ask myself what I need to stop doing or change drastically to get there. Incremental thinking is the enemy here….being bold and leaning into resistance is how to make breakthroughs. 3️⃣ Set quarterly goals ↳ I don’t just set goals to stay busy. I challenge myself to set goals that force me to grow into the person I need to be for the next phase of my journey. 4️⃣ Assess Growth ↳ Each week, month, and quarter I review my growth by looking back at my wins and how I’ve grown. This is the secret to staying encouraged…..don’t look at what you didn’t accomplish yet, rather at what you have accomplished. Although this process never plays out the way I plan it, I find the process is consistently leading me to that bigger and better future. What are you doing to grow toward your future self? ♻️ Repost this to help someone in your network. ➕ Follow Jon Spiesman for more leadership tips that work! #Leadership #PersonalDevelopment #Management #Business