Think of the last time you set out to achieve something for yourself. Did you jump into it immediately, or did you set a goal for yourself and plan the steps you’d take to achieve it?

Setting goals for the new year is a popular yet polarizing tradition amongst many. Some think of it as a fresh start, and others think of it as a short-lived stint before they go back to their old habits or forget about their goals entirely. However, setting career goals for the new year is a great way to assess where you are in your career currently and where you ultimately want to be. It doesn’t have to be a daunting task, either!

Here are seven feasible career-oriented goals you should set in this new year.

1. Performance Goals

Consistent strong performance is the entry ticket in the workplace, ensuring you land in a position to demand what you want. Consider the following questions:

What low-functioning work processes can I take the lead on improving?
What stretch projects or assignments can I take on?
What training can I provide to help others perform better?

Having performance goals will ensure that you are focused on demonstrating your capabilities and your capacity to execute on strategic and operational priorities.

2. Learning and experience goals

Whether entering the job market for the first time, switching industries, taking on a new stretch project, or seeking a promotion, you will likely need to close the gap between your current skills and abilities and what you require for what you are trying to achieve. Consider the following questions:

What skills do I have today?
What skills do I need for where I want to go?
How can I close those skills gaps?

Having goals for your learning and experiences will help you be intentional about identifying and closing your skills gaps.

3. Relationship goals

Relationships are fundamental to how you ideate, execute, and progress at work. Having a goal to strengthen your network will ensure you’re being intentional about connecting with the right people along your career journey. Ask yourself the following questions:

Who are those that are critical to my learning, performance, and progression?
Where are those people located and how will I connect with them? What groups and projects are they a part of and how can I associate myself with those initiatives?

Enacting this simple strategy will be a game-changer for how you approach not only building professional relationships but strengthening existing ones too.

4. Visibility goals

It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of work and crossing off the tasks on your to-do list without thinking about how you’ll share your results with your colleagues. When thinking about ways to increase your visibility, consider the following questions:

What have I done and why have I done it?
Who is directly impacted by the work I am doing?
How do I let these people know how my work can be helpful to them?

Having a goal of increasing your visibility will ensure you’re outwardly showcasing your value in the workplace.

5. progression goals

Progressing in your career means growing and expanding within and beyond your current role. Filling a leadership position or seeking a higher role within your company is a great way to expand your portfolio and experience. Consider these questions:

Where am I on the career ladder now?
What will it take for me to get to the next level?
Who do I need to communicate my intentions to?

Having a progression-centered goal will keep you focused on the necessary work you need to do to elevate your career.

6. earning goals

We all want more income, right?! Similar to the previously mentioned goal of seeking a higher role within the company, with a higher position usually comes higher earnings. However, even if you aren’t actively seeking a higher position, you should still be assessing if your compensation matches the time and effort you put into delivering value within your role. Consider these questions:

How does my pay compare to my peers in similar organizations?
When are decisions about compensation made, and who are the key decision-makers?
Besides pay, is there any other worthwhile thing I can request (e.g., education or professional sponsorship, additional vacation days, flexible working arrangements, pension top-up, company shares, etc.)?

Having earning goals will ensure that your compensation doesn’t stagnate.

7. giving goals

Setting a goal of giving, whether it be with your time, expertise, or with material items are a great way to be intentional about helping others. Ask yourself the following:

Who am I going to support this year?
Who am I going to mentor?
Who am I going to recommend for opportunities?

When you help others, you will oftentimes find the help you are seeking in return. This is the law of sowing and reaping.

It can be easy to settle into a routine within your career, but setting these goals will put you on a path of elevated achievement and personal growth. In Visible Strengths, I talk more about the proven strategies and methods you can use to aid you in accomplishing your career goals. To learn more about the art of goal setting, you can get Visible Strengths today.

This article was written by Mary Mosope Adeyemi, Founder & Career Strategist at viSHEbility

Ready, Set, Go… 7 Career Goals You Should Set this Year