Step 4 - Developing your goals and putting your plan into action

This is the fifth and final post of a five part series on why career planning is important and how to go about doing it. The five sections are as follows

1. Introduction
2. Evaluating the competencies needed to perform successfully in the position you seek
3. Evaluating your competencies and performing a gap analysis
4. Developing a learning plan
5. Setting your goals and putting your plan into action.

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SETTING YOUR GOALS AND PUTTING YOUR PLAN INTO ACTION

Wrapping it all up and following through. That sums up this final step. This is the step that wraps it all up and wraps around. Here at the end of the process you've already defined what you want to achieve, what gap needs to be filled to get there, how you plan on filling those gaps, and now you'll set out to put dates to it.

For each gap you've identified set a date when you will earn the competency to fill that gap. Make sure you are pushing yourself. Set lofty goals and achieve them. The payoff in the end will be more than you could ever imagine.

Now, setting your goals and achieving them is not really the end. This is a circular process. All along the way you'll need to be fluid and changing. Life events may change your goals, the availability of learning resources or funds may accelerate or slow your goals. The key is to continuously reevaluate your progress and your end game, always for the best. Don't let setbacks throw you off your path, but do let opportunities accelerate your progress.

Hopefully you'll find this information helpful. Don't forget, if this has helped you use it to help someone else.