Career Goals You’ll Achieve……..You ever set a “career goal” that you immediately forgot about, like two weeks later? Yeah, me too.
I once wrote down in my planner (okay fine, it was the back of a bodega receipt) that I was gonna become a “thought leader in digital marketing.” What does that even mean? I don’t know. But I wrote it. And shocker—it never happened.
That’s the thing: everyone says set career goals if you wanna get anywhere in life. But no one really tells you how to set ones you’ll actually stick with. Like the kind you don’t crumple up and throw in the recycling bin because it feels way too big, or way too fake.
So here’s my messy, very human attempt at breaking it down into a step-by-step guide. Not because I’ve figured everything out (ha, far from it), but because after failing at this a hundred times, I finally found Career Goals You’ll Achieve which is actually worked.
Step 1: Get Rid of the Fancy Talk
First things first: drop the corporate jargon. “Maximize synergies to leverage cross-functional…” Nope. Sounds like a robot wrote your career goals.
Your goal doesn’t have to sound like it belongs in a TED Talk. It just has to make sense to you. Like, “Get a promotion so I can stop eating instant ramen every week.” That’s a legit goal.
My friend once said her career goal was “to not hate Mondays.” Honestly? That’s better than half the nonsense you see on LinkedIn.
Step 2: Figure Out What You Actually Want (Not What Sounds Cool)
I used to write goals that sounded impressive but weren’t really mine. Like, I thought I was supposed to say “I wanna be a VP by 30.” But secretly? I wanted flexibility. To work from home some days. To not feel guilty about taking my kid to the park at 3 PM.
Your career goals have to match your real life. Not the Instagram version.
So ask yourself: what’s the vibe you’re actually chasing? More money? More freedom? More creative work? Less yelling bosses? Be brutally honest.
Step 3: Break It Down (Or It’ll Break You)
Big goals are exciting… until they become overwhelming. It’s like standing at the bottom of the Empire State Building with no elevator. You’re not climbing that whole thing in one go.
When I decided I wanted to “start my own side business,” it sounded huge. Impossible. But when I broke it into chunks—pick a name, build a website, get one client—it suddenly felt doable.
Think baby steps. Micro wins. Goals should feel like a staircase, not a cliff face.
Step 4: Write It Down (Somewhere You’ll Actually See It)
I’m telling you—this one is underrated. If you don’t write it, it’s just a wish floating around in your brain with all the other chaos (like, “remember to buy paper towels”).
But don’t just write it and forget it. Put it somewhere annoying. I stuck a sticky note on my laptop that said “Pitch 3 new clients.” Every time I opened my laptop, boom—there it was, judging me. And guess what? I did it.
You could also set it as your phone wallpaper. Or scribble it on your bathroom mirror in lipstick (though, your roommate might not appreciate that).
Step 5: Make It Measurable (Ugh, I Know, But It Works)
I used to roll my eyes at “SMART goals” (specific, measurable, blah blah blah). But turns out, there’s a reason CEOs swear by them.
Saying “I wanna make more money” is vague. Saying “I wanna land a $5k client by June” is clear. Clear = trackable. Trackable = less wiggle room for excuses.
It’s like saying “I wanna get fit” vs “I wanna run a 5K by October.” One is a wish. The other is a finish line.
Step 6: Find Your Why (Or You’ll Quit Midway)
Here’s the deal: if your career goal doesn’t tie into something that actually matters to you, you’re gonna bail. Fast.
When I set a goal to “get promoted,” I dragged my feet. But when I reframed it as “get promoted so I can afford to finally take my family on a real vacation,” suddenly it hit different.
Your “why” is the fuel. Without it, your goal is just a nice idea.
Step 7: Tell Someone (Accountability Works Like Magic)
Confession: I’m the kind of person who’ll bail on my own plans but won’t cancel on a friend. If I tell someone my goal, I’m 1000% more likely to follow through.
So I told my buddy: “I’m gonna apply for three jobs by the end of the month. Ask me about it.” And you bet she asked.
That little “oh crap, someone’s watching” feeling? Super motivating.
Step 8: Celebrate the Small Wins
This one’s big. Don’t wait until you’ve reached the final goal to celebrate. Every mini step counts.
Got through one scary interview? That’s a win. Updated your dusty old LinkedIn profile? Another win. Don’t shrug it off—acknowledge it. Maybe even treat yourself (I recommend tacos).
Because if you only celebrate the big finish line, you’ll burn out halfway.
Step 9: Adjust When Life Gets Messy
Sometimes your goals change. Or life punches you in the face (figuratively… hopefully). That doesn’t mean you failed—it means you’re human.
I once had this big plan to switch industries, but then family stuff came up and I had to press pause. At first, I felt like I was “behind.” But then I realized—pausing isn’t quitting. Adjusting isn’t failing.
The best goals flex with you.
Step 10: Keep Going (Even When It’s Boring)
Here’s the unsexy truth: half the time, achieving career goals is just… showing up. Again and again.
There were days I didn’t feel like applying for jobs. Or networking. Or sending yet another email. But I forced myself. Not heroically—just like, “Okay, do 10 minutes and see what happens.”
And you know what? 10 minutes often turned into an hour. Consistency beats inspiration every single time.
Quick Recap (for the skimmers) about Career Goals You’ll Achieve
- Drop the jargon
- Get real about what you want
- Break big goals into small steps
- Write it down somewhere visible
- Make it measurable
- Tie it to a strong “why”
- Tell someone (accountability buddy = gold)
- Celebrate along the way
- Adjust when life shifts
- Keep showing up, even when it’s boring
Final Thoughts about Career Goals You’ll Achieve
Look, setting career goals isn’t about creating some perfect 10-year plan that makes you sound impressive at dinner parties. It’s about figuring out what actually matters to you and finding a way to keep yourself moving, even when you’re tired, distracted, or doubting yourself.
And honestly? Half the time, the goals you set will evolve. You’ll outgrow them. Or they’ll take you somewhere you didn’t expect. And that’s fine—better than fine, actually. That’s life doing its thing.
So next time you sit down to write out your career goals, don’t overthink it. Scribble something down. Make it clear, tie it to your why, and just start. You can adjust later.
Also, pro tip: maybe don’t write it on a bodega receipt. That thing will end up in the wash.
