Most people have a goal(s) in mind, but only a few lay it out and make it effective. I am not going to lie, achieving your career goals needs a lot of determination and resilience. But it is a lot harder when you don’t know how to properly approach it.

I personally always keep a lookout for any tips or tools that may make it slightly easier for me to achieve my career goals. Recently I stumbled upon an article by Michaela Bennison, an actor and writer who has her own Youtube Channel under the same name.

            She puts goal setting into 5 steps, and here is a quick run-through of it!

            Step 1: What do you want to achieve?

                        List everything you want from your career, big and small. Once you have listed it out, Bennison suggested closing your eyes and imagining your future having achieved each of these goals and asking yourself; how does it feel? And what if you didn’t achieve it? How does it feel? The one that hurts most is likely to be the one you truly want!

            Step 2: Where are you now?

                        Know where you are in your career, your strengths and weaknesses. What opportunities are available to you? Make a list!

            Step 3: Make your goals SMART

                        I am sure you have all heard of it before. I, myself, have heard it hundreds of times. But if you haven’t, here is a short description of SMART goal setting:

• Specific – what do you want to achieve and why?
  • Measurable – how will you measure your progress (how much/how many)?
  • Actionable – do you have complete control over achieving this?
  • Realistic – do you have the tools/skills/time to complete this?
  • Time-Based – what’s the deadline?

                        Here is an example.

            DON’T:

“I want to be in a feature film” – not specific nor measurable

“This month I want to land a role” – not realistic as it is out of our control

DO:

“This month I will find 3 feature film auditions and apply for them” – The more specific the better.

Step 4: Create an action plan

            First, refer back to your Step2’s list, and see where you are. Next, consider your options or obstacles. For example, if your goal is to apply to 3 feature film auditions and you don’t know any ongoing auditions. Your first action would be to find an ongoing audition. Now, this may create a chain of obstacles, but you gotta keep digging until you find an achievable task.

Step 5: Review your goals regularly

            The thing is… things around us change, our beliefs change and so do our goals. It is important to keep your goal relevant to the current you. Let your goals grow with you. Review your long-term goals at least once a year.

That’s it 5 steps of goal settings by Michaela Bennison. Remember, it is A WAY of doing it not the way.

Do you have your own goals-setting strategies? Why not share with us?!