Many of us look forward to starting a year with a new slate. With a whole year on the horizon comes countless possibilities, changes, and successes that are untapped. You may be planning to improve your health or kick a bad habit, but have you thought about setting new career goals that you can actually achieve? We spend most of our lives making a living, so our work should be one of the most fulfilling things we do. It’s important to reassess our goals and set new ones with measured outcomes. Here’s a guide to setting your career goals for the upcoming year.

1 - Self-reflect

Setting any kind of goal starts with reflecting on yourself. Evaluate any growth you made during the year. Take some time to think about what you have achieved as well as what you fell short of accomplishing. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome it? What new skills did you learn?

2 - Know your values

In order to set lasting career goals, you need to know what is important to you in your life. Then how would you prioritize these values in the following year depending on where you are? This will help you strike the right balance and make decisions when necessary or unexpected circumstances occur. When you align your goals with your values, you will be more likely to stay committed.

3 - Understand the purpose

As you are considering your goals for next year, make sure you understand the meaning and purpose for setting it in the first place. A clearer perspective can help you to push ahead and overcome any challenges that come your way.

4 - Express them

Make your goals real by putting weight behind them through expression and acknowledgement. Write down and talk to others about your goals or intended actions. This will allow you to have an outlet or get the support that you need in order to succeed. Keeping a journal or having someone to remind and push you can also help you stay on track and hold you liable.

5 - Set a time frame

Make your action plan even more real by setting a timeframe. Most people work productively when they are striving to meet a deadline. Measure out the steps and consider how long each action will take to achieve, then set a date. Breaking the goals into smaller objectives to reach within a certain time can also allow you to stay committed.

6 - Rewards

When you have fulfilled a goal, reward yourself. Some goals will be harder to achieve than others, so set the reward accordingly. Setting up a reward system for yourself will make the journey better and each step more satisfying. Also, don’t forget that the biggest reward will be to achieve your goals and becoming a better version of yourself than the previous year.

Like most things in life, preparation is key to achieving your career goals. With the right consideration, research and planning, there’s every reason your big dreams can become your reality.