How to Set Your Career Goals for 2018 and Achieve Them

Each New Year offers the opportunity for a fresh start — and that includes your career. Now is a great time to start looking ahead to 2018 to determine what you want in your career, as well as a clear-cut plan for getting there. Here’s how to select your top career goals and achieve them in the year ahead.

Grab a Pen, Paper & Some Time

The first step to setting solid career goals is to write down what you want and a plan for getting there. Studies show a direct correlation between setting specific career goals and career success. You will want to set aside some time for this.

Start by thinking about your ultimate career goal. Where do you want to be in your career when you retire? Do you dream of working internationally? Want to become a CEO? Own your own business? Work backwards to think about all of the major steps it will take to get yourself where you want to go.

Next, break those major steps into smaller pieces and think about three to five things you can get done in the coming year to move yourself ahead. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• What do I want in my career in the next year?
• Who can I network with to get me there?
• What do I value in my work?