Week 2: September 8 to 14Pave a path: Review your work goals and set new ones
It’s easy to get wrapped up in our daily routine: wake up, have breakfast, commute, work, commute home, make dinner, eat, clean up, go to bed, and repeat. But every once in a while it’s important to step back from this cycle to re-evaluate where we are in our careers and where we want to be. Regularly reviewing and adjusting our goals ensures we keep moving forward and living our lives consciously.
When reviewing your goals, take some time alone to figure out what it is you really want. Ask yourself the following questions—they may help to clarify what’s important to you.
- What are your workplace values? Do they align with your current employer’s?
- What have you achieved in your current employment? Do you want to achieve more? Is it possible where you are, or have you hit a ceiling?
- If you could do anything for work, and money was of no concern, what would it be?
- Where would you like to be, career-wise, in five, 10, and even 15 years?
If you find, after asking yourself these questions, that perhaps you’re not in the right job, Kearns suggests first making a comprehensive list of your skills, talents, and interests, and then determining a range of job options that might apply to you. This practice will provide you with a better sense of what you might be good at, allowing you to set your trajectory in another direction with intention and confidence.
Should you find this task overwhelming, career coaches, life coaches, and career counsellors are available to help. A quick online search will bring up a myriad of resources for career support, whether you need help developing your resumé, searching for a job, upgrading your skills, or transitioning into a whole new career.
If, on the other hand, answering these questions makes you realize you are exactly where you need to be, take some time to figure out what you want your career path in your current employment to look like and how you will get there.
You might consider talking to co-workers in positions you find interesting, finding a mentor, or taking advantage of company-funded education options. Doing these things will not only make you a more valuable and knowledgeable employee, but it will also show your employer that you are keen to learn and move forward with the company.
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