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Navigating a career can be challenging at time. There are ups and downs, plus uncertainties and unexpected situations. However, there are a few ways to get and stay on track – and one of them involves setting career goals.

When you have career goals in mind, it will help you to clarify your short- and long-term objectives, measure progress and success, and ultimately achieve your career dreams. Here are three strategies to help you stay ahead of your career goals.

How Can You Stay Ahead of Your Career Goals?

1. Be SMART.

Don’t simply set a goal and call it a day. Your goals need to be SMART; that is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. So, when you’re working on goal setting, be as specific as possible with your goal. Make sure you can measure it and that you can reasonably attain it. Finally, check that it is relevant to your career and set a deadline to help you stay motivated.

For instance, if your goal is to go back to school, dig deeper and define what that means. What degree are you going to be working toward? At what school? When will you enroll? Do you have the details? How will it help you in your career? And how long will it take you to complete it? Once you’ve answered these questions, you can then reasonably set your goal.

2. Break goals into bites.

When you’re setting goals, you want to think big. However, if you think too big, it can impact your ability to attain your goals. It’s why breaking goals up into smaller chunks can be helpful. You can do this by take one large goal, divvying it up into a few steps, and attaching a deadline to each one. This will not only make it easier to achieve but will also help you create a sense of purpose and progress.

3. Get in the habit.

Another way to stay ahead of your career goals? Create healthy habits. When you do things repetitively, it becomes a habit. When it comes to your career goals, creating certain habits, like attending one networking event each week, will help you meet new contacts, broaden your horizons, and potentially find out about an opportunity you wouldn’t have otherwise heard about.

Some other habits to consider? Reading one career- or business-related book each month, creating a gratitude journal, and working toward a healthier work-life balance by turning your phone off at a certain time every evening.

Is one of your career goals to find a new job?

Let OneSource Staffing Solutions help. We work with a variety of companies, large and small and in a range of industries, ready to hire. We will take the time to learn about your background and skills and connect you with rewarding opportunities – one of which could be your next big career step. Contact one of our recruiters today to get started!