Taking charge of your goals and achievements

Whatever stage you’re at within your career journey it is important to set long-term goals. Setting small, measurable goals will help you stay motivated, even when things aren’t moving as quickly as you would like. These goals can help you avoid frustration by keeping you on track and helping you feel productive.

But while it's only natural to feel negative or frustrated when things aren't going as planned, maintaining a positive outlook can help you become more resilient, which means you'll be better able to bounce back from negative events and regulate your emotions.

A positive attitude isn't something you can just turn on, but there are some things that can help. Here are a few tips for staying positive and maintaining motivation throughout your career journey in order to take charge of your goals and achievements.

It can be hard to stay motivated no matter what situation you are in, whether you have been made redundant, you’re looking for a new career or you’re currently unemployed. While setting goals can be your first step, it is important to stay positive in your progress. When we stay motivated, we are more likely to be successful.

Here are some tips on how to stay motivated in the process of reaching your goals.

Make a list of your achievements

If you're experiencing job-search frustration or feeling down about your current situation, reminding yourself of all the things you've learned and accomplished in your career can give you a boost of confidence. Start putting together a list of all your career or education achievements, from specific problems you solved to different projects you have been a part of.

Having all your professional achievements lined up can also make it easier to include your most impressive work experience on your CV and discuss your career highlights in job interviews and help you keep a positive mindset.

Get organised

Being organised may not come naturally to you but it can be a driver for success when trying to keep motivated. Writing lists, setting time limits to do a task or even taking notes can hold you accountable for what you would like to achieve with your day. Creating these small habits in your day will slowly begin to reflect in both your personal and work life, making your goals more measurable and achievable.

Keep the big picture in mind

However big your goal is, it is important to keep it at the forefront of your mind. When you visualise what you want to achieve it motivates you to complete the smaller tasks to get there. Consider why you want to reach this goal? What is the positive outcome of achieving this? How will your life change when you achieve this? By considering these questions it will remind you why you set this goal in the first place and encourage you to work towards your goal.

Reach out to others

Search online for people who have your dream job or who work at companies you are interested in. Looking at the various ways people have got to where they are now will likely remind you that there is no straight path to success.

Better yet, reach out to a few of these people. Asking people to share a bit about how they got to where they are and some advice for your own search can be incredibly helpful—and motivating.

Be consistent

Remain consistent with your daily tasks and work, even when you feel unmotivated. If you feel like you’re struggling to stay motivated, break down your tasks even further into smaller more manageable steps.

How to broaden your horizons

Looking for new opportunities within your career and education is a great way to broaden your horizons, further your skills and stand out within competitive sectors. By exploring new pathways to achieve your end goal, you can accelerate your career and be clear on what you want to achieve. Below are some ways you can broaden your horizons in order to reach your goals.

Further education

Further education can be a fantastic option if you’re looking to change your career entirely, or progress within your current sector. By learning something new, you are taking on an entirely different challenge and equipping yourself with more experience and skills within your chosen field. This can lead to greater earning potential in future and help you to build your connections within the industry.

If you’re considering further education, why not start by doing a free online course first around your chosen topic? This is a low risk way to introduce yourself into the field while keeping yourself motivated to progress with your goal. Find free online courses on My World of Work.

Look for opportunities to volunteer

You may also want to consider getting involved in volunteer work. Not only will this keep you busy until you land a new job, but it will also look great on your CV and give you something new to talk about in job interviews.

Volunteering is also a great opportunity for networking and skill building, especially if you're able to find a position that matches your career interests. You can find volunteering opportunities available in your area on My World of Work .

Network

Take time to meet people and make connections throughout your company or online through social networking sites like LinkedIn. Reaching out to people for advice on your career can help direct you into the right path and help you get your face known and hear about opportunities.

Put yourself out there

It is not simple enough to just learn about various opportunities; you also need to apply yourself. Take action and put yourself out there. Separate yourself from rejection and negative thoughts and think about the possibilities that will come from just applying.

Remember change doesn’t happen overnight, the more you stay motivated to reach your goals the easier it will become to get there. Keeping a positive mindset, a hardworking mentality and being dedicated to your work will encourage you to take charge and gain the success you desire.