Growth Isn’t Instant: Ready to Set Career Goals You Can Actually Achieve?
Over the past decade, I’ve had the chance to sit down with over 1,000 digital experts and help guide more than 200 people through the sometimes overwhelming process of career growth. One challenge I see often? Unrealistic career goals. Aiming for a role you’re not quite ready for, or expecting promotions to come like clockwork—it happens all the time. But here’s the thing: recalibrating your expectations doesn’t mean giving up on your ambition. It means setting yourself up for success with clear, achievable timelines.
Start with a reality check
The foundation for any career move starts with honesty—where are you now, and what are you working with? Think of it like building a house; if you don’t check the ground first, no matter how great your blueprint is, it won’t stand.
Say you’re a UX designer eyeing that dream job. First, we’d look at the job’s requirements, and then we’d get real about your current skill set. If user research is a must-have and you’re missing that, we’ve just found a critical gap. But that’s not a dead end—it’s your starting point. From there, we map out what you need to get where you want to go. Maybe it’s enrolling in a course or taking on a project that fills that gap. This approach ensures your career goals are grounded in what’s possible now while still aiming high.
Define What Success Looks Like—for You
Success isn’t a one-size-fits-all title or salary bracket. It’s about aligning your career with what truly matters to you. Ask yourself, “What does success really mean for me?”
I worked with a digital marketer who was doing great on paper but felt empty in her role. After some serious introspection, she realized transparency and integrity were non-negotiables for her. She wanted to work for a company that wasn’t just chasing profits but promoting ethical, sustainable products. By realigning her career with her values, she found success in making a real impact rather than just climbing higher on the corporate ladder.
Small Steps, Big Goals
Big career moves don’t happen overnight, and they definitely don’t happen all at once. Once you’ve defined your goal, the next step is to break it into smaller, manageable pieces.
If you’re setting unrealistic career goals, I encourage you to focus on what’s achievable now. A great exercise is to draft a 90-day action plan for your first milestone. For example, if you want to transition into a UX role, we might identify milestones like completing an introductory UX course, creating a portfolio piece, or networking with professionals in the field.
Always keep your goals SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This way, you’re not overwhelmed—you’re focused
Mastering Time Management
You can have the best goals in the world, but if you don’t manage your time, you’ll struggle to make them happen. Set aside time each week for skill-building, networking, and personal development.
To maintain structure, try to work with the OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) method at an individual level. For example, if you want to enhance your UX research skills, set an objective like, “Enhance UX research skills within six months.” Key results might include:
- Complete a UX research course in three months.
- Conduct three user interviews to gather insights.
- Attend two UX research networking events monthly.
Consistency and self-assessments are crucial to ensure they remain on track while minimizing feelings of overwhelm.
Celebrate Every Win
Don’t wait until you’ve “made it” to celebrate. Acknowledge each milestone along the way. Finished a course? Treat yourself to a nice dinner. Finished a project for your portfolio? Take that weekend trip you’ve been thinking about. Rewarding yourself keeps the motivation alive and makes the journey way more enjoyable.
Final Thoughts: Let’s Get You Moving
Career growth isn’t about getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible. It’s about embracing the journey, learning from every twist and turn, and making real, meaningful progress along the way.
If you’re feeling stuck or lost, let’s connect. Together, we’ll turn your big career goals into actionable steps that actually get you where you want to be.
