January. The month of fresh starts, new promises and ambitious goals. It’s when we optimistically tell ourselves this year will be different. We’ll finally achieve all those things we’ve promised ourselves in years past or is that just me?
The truth is, setting goals is easy (stay with me). It’s keeping the momentum where things get tricky. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few strategies to plan my career and make progress without spiralling into an existential crisis.
Picture yourself a year from now
Start by imagining where you’d like to be this time next year.
Ask yourself:
- What have I achieved?
- What new skills or experiences have I gained?
- How have these made a difference? What can I do now that I couldn’t do before? How has this impacted the way I work, lead, or grow?
That last question is key. Too often, we set goals to “do things” without stopping to consider why they matter. This can leave us with a giant checklist of tasks that feel like a “so what?” by the end of the year.
Focusing on the impact transforms goals from tick-box exercises into meaningful progress.
Life is not a box of chocolates, it’s a dartboard
When it comes to achieving your goals, think of your locus of control like a dartboard:
🎯 Bullseye (Direct Control): These are the things entirely within your hands, like your mindset, personal growth, and how you respond to situations.
🎯 Middle Ring (Influence): This is where you can nudge outcomes, like joining a project, suggesting improvements, or requesting development opportunities.
🎯 Outer Ring (No Control): Here’s where things get tricky—think company restructures, economic shifts, or changing priorities. While you can’t control these, you can acknowledge them, plan around them, and manage how you respond to their impact.
By focusing on your bullseye and middle ring, you can make steady progress without getting bogged down by things outside your control.
Stop trying to jump over stepping stones
Big, ambitious goals are great—until they feel overwhelming. Instead, think of your goals like stepping stones across a river. Each step should stretch you but still feel manageable. Try frameworks like quarterly plans or my favorite: Now, Next, Then.
By keeping things simple, you’re more likely to stay on track and build momentum.
Are you making progress or just staying busy?
Progress and busyness are not the same. Regularly ask yourself:
- Am I actually moving closer to my goals?
- Or am I stuck ticking off tasks that don’t make a real impact?
If you find yourself veering into “busy work,” pause, reflect, reset, and refocus.
And if you miss a target? Don’t sweat it. This isn’t a parking meter—you won’t get fined for overstaying. Adjust, learn, and keep moving forward.
Don’t know what you want? Say yes
Not sure what your long-term vision looks like? That’s okay. You don’t need a crystal-clear plan to move forward.
Say yes to opportunities that spark your curiosity or interest—they often lead to paths you never expected. In the past decade, I’ve had jobs that didn’t even exist when I was in school. Imagine being so laser-focused on a rigid plan that you miss the opportunities right in front of you.
Sometimes, the best way to figure out what you want is to try things and see what sticks.
Let’s make this year count
Career planning doesn’t have to be rigid or stressful. Break it down, stay flexible, and don’t sweat the small stuff.
A year from now, you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve come—whether you’re flying over those stepping stones or had a few dips in the river along the way.
So, what’s the first step you’ll take toward your goals this year? If you’re not sure where to start, let’s talk. I help people like you figure out what’s next and create a plan to get there. Drop me a message—I’d love to hear your goals and help you make them happen.
