Asking this question is an example of a career development goal. By answering this question to yourself, you are trying to set a goal for yourself for the next five years. When we set a goal for the next five years, we have to put some short-term goals to achieve our goal. When we are getting a reward for doing anything tendency to do things efficiently increases.

What are Career Development Goals?

From the name, we can easily define Career Development Goals as the goals that we set to achieve development in our career and profession. Through those goals, we can keep progressing in our careers. Goals that are set to boost your career progress and motivate you to work towards your future are career development goals. 

Importance of career development goals

We had set and completed many goals during school like before an exam we had to finish studying the syllabus by a particular time to get good grades. Exams were a goal for us. Similarly, daily, we were given homework in school, which we had to complete within a day, it was also a goal. For students to pass an exam, and get appreciated for getting good grades are the goals, which motivate and encourage them to work hard and improve their performance. 

Benefits of setting goals-

Many people have a habit of pre-planning their day and work according to it, they make their timetable or day planner, as they would notice their day is going according to their timetable works are getting, even more, faster they feel motivated, encouraged and they end and start their day with positive energy, by doing this they also can keep a check on every work, can utilize their time more efficiently, and can be more productive. 

Demerits of not setting targets-

But on the other hand, people who do not make a timetable or day planner check daily, weekly, or even monthly progress, are less productive. Their mind gets tangled due to a lot of work, do not understand Where to start, what to do first, get more confused, and fail in doing any work at last. Confusion creates stress, stress results in low productivity, and low productivity results in poor performance. Some so many people are not satisfied with their work and are not having any progress for a very long time. 

Just like how making a planner and setting a goal in daily life is important. Similarly, setting goals in career and professional life is also crucial. We all value our professional life, and from childhood, we prepare for our careers. Goals in our professional life give a boost to our professional development. 

Different types of career development goals-

There are two types of career development goals 

Short-term goals- 

A goal that you can achieve in a short period. These could be achieved in a day, week, month, or year. These are the stepping-stopes for your long-term goals. Some examples of short-term goals are learning a new skill, creating a personal website, and many more.

Long-term goals- 

A goal you must work on for a long time to achieve. These could be the aim of our life, supported by several short-term goals. Long-term goals hold an important place in everyone’s lives because they are something that matters in an individual’s life. examples of long-term goals are earning a professional degree, changing careers, and many more.

How to set your Career Development Goals?

Some people find it difficult to set their career development goals. One of the main reasons why people cannot decide is because of not having a clear picture of their target. Some people do not have a fixed goal in their life due to this, they lack a lot of self-confidence, proper motivation, and productivity in their work and they easily get tired of their work. To set career development goals, firstly, you have to give yourself some time. Spend some quality time with yourself, try to understand yourself a little better, then ask yourself what you want for your future and what you are expecting from your life. A clear picture of your needs and expectations would help you to set goals.

Important reminder-

Do not forget to use SMART goal methods. It will provide you a better result. SMART is a well-known acronym for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. Every word that SMART is denoting is necessary for the targets.

Some examples of career development goals-

Here are some examples of career development goals

Learning new skills Learn a new language Increase productivityApply for PromotionComplete professional course or degreeGain new experiencesExplore other work filedJob changeLearn new technologyImprove and expand your networkImprove your professional relationsImprove communication skillsDevelop reading habitBe a good listenerTry to get feedback from employers and teammatesCareer changeWork on your soft skillsCreate your profile by personal website

Above given are just some examples, you can plan many other targets according to your needs and profession.

But you cannot get anything in one day. You have to work consistently for your goals. Start everything with a positive mindset, it would help you to maintain consistency. A positive and happy person also makes the surroundings positive, and lively.

Career development goals also help to improve your personal development. All the efforts you will put into your career progress will help you in becoming a better version of yourself.