Imagine how you would feel if you landed the job of your dreams this year.
The difference between those who enjoy a satisfying career and those who struggle to make themselves fit a job they don’t enjoy often comes down to a personal decision.
Making a change starts with defining your personal goals. It’s easy to give into the temptation to take any employment opportunity that comes along, but having measurable goals increases your chances of landing your dream job.
Goal-setting doesn’t have to be hard. You can start with a simple question: What do I want most from my career right now?
Write your answers down. Don’t skip this step — writing your goals helps you clarify them. Your time is valuable, and you will be more productive when you focus on what’s important to you.
If you’re having trouble getting started, you might try the goal-setting tool Harvey Mackay suggested in his book “Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door.” Mackay said goals must be:
M — Measurable
I — Identifiable
D — Documented
A — Attainable
S — Specific
You also can develop a career map. Start your map by listing your jobs chronologically. With each job, list what skills you enjoyed using the most and why. Ask yourself, “What skills or interests brought me the most joy and satisfaction?”
As your goals become clear, start researching ways to get career satisfaction. You might be surprised to know that you may not have to leave your current employer. It’s possible that taking a new role with the same company might bring you the career satisfaction you seek.
