We have all been there. One year, I was determined I would get up with my first alarm Monday through Friday. Another I promised to wake an hour early each day for pure focus work time. Then there was that time I set myself an ambitious sales target, so unrealistic it made me feel more deflated than motivated. As someone who loves a good to-do list and thrives on ticking things off, I have learnt the hard way that setting the wrong goals can be detrimental to career growth. Sound familiar?
Successful goal setting requires asking the right questions and reflecting on where you’ve been.
Right then… How do we start? Let’s dive into how to set yourself up for success in 2025…without falling into the same traps.
Reflecting on 2024: Looking Back to Move Forward
Before you set new goals, pause and take a moment to look back over at the past year. Honestly, I can easily forget what I did last week let alone what I achieved in January. Have a look back over your calendar and diary for each month. What where your highlights? Reflection gives your future goals a solid foundation. Ask yourself:
- What was my biggest professional win in 2024?
- What challenges did I face and how did I overcome them?
- Was there anything that held me back?
- What lessons can I carry forward into 2025?
Identifying these insights ensures your goals are embedded in your reality and build on your successes and learnings.
Assessing the Present: Grounding Your Goals
Now shift your focus to the here and now. Understanding where you stand is crucial for building meaningful future goals.
Understanding where you stand is crucial:
- Am I making any assumptions about myself that limit my potential?
- Is fear holding me back? How can I confront it?
- How am I feeling about 2025? What is shaping that feeling?
This step helps clarify your mindset and removes potential obstacles before you even start setting goals.
Planning for 2025: Setting Goals That Work for You
When setting your goals keep it simple and realistic. Avoid over complicating things (it isn’t a PhD thesis). Your goals should be tailored to you, meaningful for your career and feasible within your current landscape. Consider:
- What should I stop doing in 2025?
- What should I start doing to align with my career aspirations and values?
- What should I keep doing and why?
- What bold step could transform my career in 2025?
- Where can I create the most value?
Soo.. you have had a little reflection time, now I bet you are thinking how do I get these career goals down on paper?
The Steps.
SMART Goals
Yes, I can almost feel your eyes rolling… but hear me out. The tried and tested SMART framework remains relevant:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Relevant
- Time-bound
This method ensures your goals are clear and actionable, making them more achievable. If you are anything like me, seeing it there in black and white and being able to tick off…well that is a feel good moment in itself!
Aligning Goals with Your Values
Your goals should resonate with what is important to you. Have a think! What is most important to you? It could be financial security or professional development for example. Your professional values don’t have to be the same as the values of the company you work for. When goals align with your values, they are not just practical, they are meaningful. This alignment provides purpose and hopefully motivation, keeping you on track.
Breaking Big Goals into Smaller Milestones
Large goals can feel overwhelming. Breaking them into smaller milestones can keep you motivated and give you a sense of achievement along the way. For example, if your goal is to enhance your personal brand, start with updating your LinkedIn profile, then build up to attending a networking event and creating new contacts.
Inspiration for 2025 Goals
Still unsure? Here are some ideas to get those inspiration juices flowing:
- Upskill in a new area.
- Look at different training courses.
- Enhance your personal brand.
- Pursue a leadership opportunity.
- Strengthen your professional network.
- Join a mentorship program.
- Explore a new career path.
The Ripple Effect: Personal Goals Improve Work Performance
Did you know that setting personal goals can help with your professional ones?
Well set personal goals often benefit other areas of life, including work performance. It’s a flywheel effect, progress in one area boosts momentum in another, helping you achieve your professional aspirations.
Step Boldly Into 2025
It’s time to take that step out of your comfort zone and into the possibilities of 2025. Reflect on your journey, ground yourself in the present and set goals that inspire you. Start small…focus on one action this week to build momentum. Whether it’s upskilling, finding a new role, or achieving a better work-life balance, every step brings you closer to your goals.
See you in 2025!
Sophie Malyon
