4 Professional Goals to Consider for 2023
Another new year is officially here and, if you’re a growth-minded professional, you may be considering your goals for the coming year. Annual goal setting is a habit we all should adopt - both professionally and personally. By setting clear, measurable goals for the coming twelve months, we can better appreciate our growth and, inversely, where more attention or guidance is needed.
Before considering your professional goals for the new year, let’s first explore how to set resolutions that are achievable. As so many of us can attest to, resolutions - whether it’s to eat healthier or improve your management and leadership skills - are often abandoned by February. For this year’s goals to truly make an impact on your professional trajectory, remember to:
Be Specific: “Improving your management skills” is not a concrete goal - it’s too abstract, leaving too much room for you to feel overwhelmed or uninspired. Rather, be as detailed as possible when exploring your resolution. Even the most minute details are your friend!
Keep it Measurable: Set a timeline or series of benchmark goals so you can track your progress throughout the year. If you’re envisioning a larger-scale resolution, consider breaking it down into smaller goals that will culminate into the desired achievement by the end of the year.
Be realistic: You may not become CEO in the next year - and that’s okay! When setting annual goals, it’s important to remember to consider what is realistically achievable and attainable for you at this moment in time. If a C-suite position is in your future in the next five years, consider what you can do in the next year to continue to propel yourself toward your ultimate goal.
Professional resolutions are personal - so don’t forget that the goals listed below are mere starting points. In the next few weeks, consider sitting down with a manager or mentor (even just a pen and paper!) to hash out your vision for the next year.
Find Your Next Career Opportunity
New year, new job? When the new year rolls around, we often have a tendency to yearn for a fresh start. Before sprucing up your resume or connecting with a recruitment expert, consider your current position and what you hope a new position will accomplish, both professionally and personally. Are you seeking more growth opportunities? Are you ready to make an industry shift? Do you feel burnt out and ready for a new challenge? There are myriad reasons to seek a new professional opportunity in the new year, so remember to be specific in your reasoning and understand your desired professional trajectory.
Expand Your Next Network
In today’s modern workplace, networking has never been so easy. Whether it’s connecting with former colleagues or classmates via Linkedin or joining a virtual roundtable event, the ability to expand your network beyond your team members has never been more accessible. In other words: if you have lofty professional goals for the next year, networking is not an opportunity you can sleep on! By expanding your network, you will further establish yourself as an expert and leader within your industry. Shoot a message to a new connection on Linkedin or apply for membership at a local young professional organization.
Grow Your Skill Set
Building upon your current expertise or exploring a new skillset is a worthwhile investment any time of the year. And with remote learning opportunities, there truly is no excuse to not expand your professional capabilities. Before signing up for a new learning opportunity, consider how a new skill will propel your career and long-term professional goals. If your industry is shifting towards a new trend or application or if you’re seeking leadership opportunities, consider how investing in your continuing education will help you grow as a professional.
Optimize Your Routines
Optimized professional routines can better help you tackle your responsibilities and to-do lists. Yet, over the months or years, professional routines can become stagnant and can begin to serve us less effectively. If you feel yourself in a slump, consider your daily, weekly, and monthly routines and how you can become more efficient, streamlined, or collaborative. If your typical weekly schedule is becoming burdensome or current projects have hit a standstill, consider how you can better manage your time and create more creatively fulfilling routines.
Setting a resolution for the entire year can feel like a daunting task, but the practice of goal setting can ultimately help professionals reach their long-term goals. Remember to check in with your progress throughout the year - either on a monthly or quarterly basis. And don’t forget to celebrate your successes. 365 days offer many opportunities for growth and manifestation. Use it wisely!