Focusing on Career Goals

Imagine this; you just arrived in a new city, one where you have no friends or family. But, while you
followed directions to the letter, for some reason, you are unable to find your destination. Now, you
have two choices; continue looking and possibly end up lost or seek help to arrive at your destination
faster.
Career searching is like asking for directions, and while proper career guidance points us in the right
direction, it is easy to be misdirected. However, if you know how to separate fact from false, you can
arrive at your career destination quicker, and save lots of time and money on the way.
So, how can you find your career goals?
3.1. Be Visionary
Hellen Keller once said that “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”
When searching for a career, one of the best places to start is by asking yourself where you envision
yourself working.
i) What was your favorite discipline in school?
ii) What work did you enjoy doing in your free time?
iii) What skills, talents, or abilities come to you naturally?
iv) Realizing where you feel you can thrive best will help you select a career that is a perfect fit.
3.2. Be Constructive
Religion says that “God helps them that help themselves,” and in life, it is true that “We only reap what
we sow.” So, to find our career paths, we need to realize that our futures are in our hands, and to reap
the rewards of success, we need to put in the required effort.
i) Think about your goals, always! – When shopping in the market, you buy what you need for your
meals. So, when making career or job-related decisions, ask yourself if they are necessary or
essential.
ii) Be positive; forget missed opportunities! – Studies show that positivity creates better outcomes,
making it more valuable than focusing on negative past actions. Therefore, forget about that course
you did not take in school or that interview you missed.
iii) Set S.M.A.R.T. goals! – Make your goals Specific and Measurable, Actionable and Realizable,
and most importantly, Time-bound.
3.3. Be Courageous
Theodore Roosevelt said, “It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed,” and to be
victorious, courage is a necessary weapon. When making decisions, start by knowing that only you,
and not your parent, teacher, or partner, are responsible for managing your career.
i) Know thyself – What are your strengths and weaknesses? Use them, and you will separate yourself
from others.
ii) Excel – Success is easier said than done, and to thrive, being a top-performer is the best path to
conquest.
iii) Build character – Performing well at your tasks is rewarding, but being great takes so much more.
Put the interests of others before your own such as by helping those struggling.
3.4. Be Committed
Abraham Lincoln said it best, “Commitment is what transforms a promise into a reality.” Being a
courageous visionary, and arming yourself with specific goals, is useless if we run at the first sign of
trouble. Like in life, every career has challenges, and the only difference between success and failure
is the ability to stay positive and committed.
An eagle always flies high in the sky, but what makes it a deadly hunter is the ability to maintain focus
as it descends to snatch its prey. Staying positive when your assignments are hard to complete,
customers are unbearable, or even when your bosses are too strict, is what will make you achieve your
dreams.
3.5. Be Patient
The Greeks believed that “One minute of patience begets ten years of peace,” and this sage is relevant
for all young people starting in careers. Once you identify your strengths and start working towards
them, realize that these things take time. Do your part and know that your time is coming!

Please follow and like us:

0

379

200

20