5 Strategies for Setting Successful Career Goals

“A goal properly set is halfway reached,” said American author and speaker Zig Ziglar.¹ He believed that everyone had the potential to achieve more, do more, and become more. And he knew that goal setting is a critical step in goal achievement. Setting career goals that focus on success can greatly improve your focus, motivation, and drive. And according to Ziglar, by setting goals, you’ll already be halfway toward achieving them.

Here are five strategies to help you set and achieve your career goals:

Strategy 1: Pursue Your Passion

Identify a career goal that truly excites you. In a field as diverse as healthcare, there are many roles that can align with your deepest interests. For example, if you search “types of nurses,” you’ll see everything from nurse educator to emergency room nurse to psychiatric nurse. Explore your options. Then choose a path that resonates with your personal and professional aspirations.

Strategy 2: Make Your Goal SMART

Set a clear and effective career goal by making sure it is SMART. This acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Here’s how to apply each element of a SMART goal:

• Specific: Define your goal with precision. Instead of a broad goal like “work in public health,” come up with a detailed goal. For example, “become a nurse” could be this specific: “Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and start a career working in a hospital as a pediatric nurse.”
• Measurable: Establish concrete criteria for tracking your goal. Decide how you will measure your progress, whether it’s through courses you complete or skills that you gain while earning your nursing degree.
• Attainable: Set a goal that is challenging yet achievable. Ensure that you have or can obtain the necessary skills and resources to achieve your goal. Remember: you can do anything! But you can’t do everything all at once. Pick one goal at a time to work toward.
• Relevant: Choose a goal that aligns with your career aspirations and will contribute to your long-term career goals.
• Time-Bound: Assign a deadline to your goal. For example, if you want to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing (a BSN) and you are already a registered nurse (RN), it will typically take one year, if you are enrolled full-time at Chamberlain University. So, your goal could be, “I will earn my BSN in the next 12 months.”

Strategy 3: Write Down Your SMART Goal

Writing down your SMART goal has two main benefits. First, it shows how committed you are to achieving your goal. Writing it down helps to make it real! Second, it acts as a constant reminder of what you want to achieve. Every time you look at your written goal, you’ll be reminded of what you are working toward.

Strategy 4: Seek Support

Build a support network by sharing your goal with people you trust, such as family members, friends, mentors, and coworkers. If you need help or just a hug, their feedback and support can provide motivation to keep going. Their insights can help you overcome obstacles. And when you accomplish your goals, they’ll be there to cheer for you!

Strategy 5: Reward Yourself

Recognize and celebrate each achievement along your journey. Setting up rewards for reaching milestones keeps you motivated on the path to your ultimate career goal. You might celebrate completing a course by sleeping in the next day. Maybe you’ll reward yourself for updating your résumé by going to a movie with a friend. Knowing that a reward is waiting can help you accomplish your goals more quickly.

By implementing these five strategies, you can create a robust plan for career success that keeps you inspired and engaged until you succeed. You can do it!

Consider Furthering Your Education

As you set your career goals, consider the role that education can play in achieving them. Enrolling in a degree program at Chamberlain University could provide you with the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to reach your goals. The university offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees for aspiring healthcare professionals, including BSN programs for new nurses and RNs advancing their education, and master’s degree programs for aspiring nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers, and public health workers.

For over 135 years, Chamberlain has empowered students to pursue their passion for helping others through healthcare. With tailored support and generous scholarships, Chamberlain ensures its diverse student body receives the resources they need to succeed. Flexible online learning can empower you to earn a degree while you balance work and family life. If your goal is a successful career in healthcare, Chamberlain’s dedication to providing comprehensive healthcare education makes it an excellent choice.

Chamberlain University, an HLC-accredited institution, offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs in nursing and healthcare professions. With a growing network of campuses and robust online programs, Chamberlain continues to build on more than 135 years of excellence in preparing extraordinary healthcare professionals.

¹Source: medium.com/@steveagyeibeyondlifestyle/a-goal-properly-set-is-halfway-reached-2032723874d4

By Chamberlain University