What does your future career picture look like – starting in the new year?
Do you envision yourself becoming an RN? Getting promoted into a managerial role? Earning a new certification? Or perhaps mastering a new tech platform, increasing your income, or sharpening your stress management or communication skills?
There are steps you can take to define those goals and set them into action so that by this time next year, you’ll be exactly where you want to be – you will have achieved your aspirations or be on track to do so long-term. Or … career happy dance here … both!
Follow the SMART Goal Framework
The SMART goal philosophy is one of the best known when it comes to career goal setting, for a good reason: It works. SMART is an acronym guiding you to set goals that are:
- Specific: clearly defined and easy to follow and understand.
- Measurable: quantifiable with bigger targets broken down into likewise measurable increments.
- Achievable: challenging, so that you’re stretched to your best limit and at the same time attainable.
- Relevant: Consistent with your values and overall mission as a healthcare professional.
- Time-bound: with set starting points and deadlines for completion.
As you think SMART when it comes to both your short and long-term goals, it’s a good idea to:
- Reflect on your dreams: What is it that would really inspire you to take action? Effective goal setting starts with a little bit of dreaming and a hefty dose of courage and out-of-the-box thinking. What do real, sustainable job satisfaction and growth look like to you? And, bring yourself back to this basic question: What moved you to pursue healthcare in the first place? Give it some serious thought, and then write your answers down. This is Step One to implementing your personal SMART plan.
- Schedule periodic check-ins. Goals are not a flavor of the month. Make it a point to reflect on them fresh on a regular basis. Even if you have to make some tweaks, this is a good way to keep your goals at the forefront of your mind and keep your eye on the prize.
- Keep yourself accountable. As you check in on your goal progress, pinpoint any roadblocks or areas where you feel stuck. For instance, it could be registering for that last class towards certification or failing to commit when your boss has offered you more responsibility. Don’t be discouraged. Instead, use your check-ins to identify whatever is standing in your way. Then regroup, reset, refocus, and keep moving forward.
Being part of a healthcare employment co-operative is the best path for many of today’s best healthcare practitioners as they grow in their careers and realize their professional goals and vision. Among our menu of unique strengths at AlliedUP Co-Operative, Inc., is our alliance with Futuro Health to pave the way for future generations of California healthcare graduates via free coaching and job readiness initiatives. Click to book an appointment with an AlliedUP Career Coach, or email careercoaching@alliedup.com.
Join us for our next FREE webinar – AlliedUP Career Coaching: Ready, Set, Success in 2025! Register here.
Reach out to us today to learn more about healthcare co-ops, or send us your resume. See how we can keep your dreams on track.
