Why Short-term Career Goals Are the Secret to Big Success

Setting goals is crucial to success. They give you direction and push you to achieve more than you otherwise might. However, many people's goals go unfulfilled.

When people set goals, they usually think of their ultimate endpoint far in the future. The problem is that the goal is so big that they either procrastinate working on it or don't think about the steps to get there.

Before long, time has passed, and they are no closer to their ultimate goal. Setting short-term career goals can solve this issue and give you a massive advantage.

How long are short-term goals supposed to be?

Short-term goals should be just that – short. These goals are the small steps that get you to your long-term goals. If you find yourself setting goals that aren't achievable in a shorter window, break them down into smaller pieces.

It's often helpful to set short-term career goals in chunks. Ask yourself what you need to accomplish each week, month, and quarter to move closer to where you want to be.

I find it helpful to work backward. Starting with my long-term goals, I will look at my plan for the year and ask myself what I need to do in the next 90 days to meet that larger goal. From there, I break that 90-day goal into three chunks for my 30-day goals. And then, I break those 30-day goals down into weekly goals.

For example, you might have a long-term goal to leave your current career and enter a new field within a year, but you need to learn some new skills first.

To get there, maybe you set a 90-day goal of being 30% of the way through a course that would help you in your new field. Breaking it down, your 30-day plan could be to choose and sign up for a course. Going even further, a good seven-day goal might be putting together a list of potential courses.

Here's an example of what it could look like:

1. Your first 7-day goal is to get your list of potential courses.
2. Your second 7-day goal is to make contacts, get more details, and choose a single course to start with.
3. In your third week, you figure out the funding and any materials you need for the course.
4. In the fourth week, you send applications or sign up for your chosen course.

See how those seven-day goals each got you a little closer to your 30-day goal? And the 30-day goal pushes you toward your 90-day goal, which ultimately builds into your goal for the year!

3 good short-term career goal examples to get you started

There are numerous ways to achieve your career goals, and your method will depend on your specific career, but a few examples can apply to various situations.

Learning a new skill

You can never go wrong by improving your skill set. Skills will only advance you further in your career; at worst, you don't use them yet but have them in reserve for the future. You will never go backward because of learning a new skill.

With today's technology, it's easier than ever to learn a new skill, gain a new certification, or even earn a new degree. You can do most learning online, allowing you to work around your schedule.

Look for online courses or digital certifications that add to your desired skill set. LinkedIn Learning or Udemy are fantastic platforms to begin your search. It's a bonus if you can complete those courses during your seven, 30, or 90-day goal windows.

Updating your resume or online presence

If your goal is to change careers, you will need a fresh "face" to show potential employers. This face includes anything they will see while deciding whether to hire you.

Refreshing your resume is a fantastic way to update your presence. You probably haven't updated it since you applied for your current job, so add that to your employment history, along with any skills you have gained in your current position.

If you have a portfolio of work online, give that an update as well. Add any new work you've done, and look at the older work already there, removing anything that's no longer an accurate depiction of your current skills.

Go over your LinkedIn profile as well. Make sure you have a recent profile photo. Update your skills and any other information that may be outdated.

Get a promotion

If you think this one is out of your hands, you need to change your mindset! Companies want their employees to take on more responsibilities and show initiative. Tell your manager that you are ready to move up in the company and ask if there are special projects with which you can get involved.

There's no guarantee you will get the promotion you seek. However, taking the initiative, getting involved, and being open with your manager about your intentions in the company can open doors in the future.

The key to achieving short-term career goals

When achieving short-term career goals, the keys are often simple: focus and staying motivated. Choose one goal at a time and focus intently on achieving it. Once you accomplish it, move on to the next one.

Don't try to juggle several goals at a time. Doing this will split your focus and efforts, and more than likely, you will end up not reaching any of them.

If you design your seven, 30, and 90-day goals to build on each other, as I demonstrated above, you won't feel like you're missing out on something by focusing on one goal at a time.

Short-term goals drive long-term success

There's nothing wrong with setting long-term goals. It can give you a steady direction. However, if you aren't setting short-term career goals, you probably aren't moving effectively toward those bigger aspirations.

Try breaking down your big goals into smaller ones that are easier to accomplish. Doing this will move you toward your dreams and give you a sense of accomplishment that will drive you to achieve even more than you thought possible, faster than you imagine!