Many people periodically become reflective and start to ask questions like, “Am I truly productive?” or “Am I making adequate progress toward my goals?” It’s common to evaluate personal objectives and assess areas where progress has been made and where there is room for improvement. Regardless of the time of year, there are always activities you can pursue to keep moving forward. This discussion will focus on three key activities that will help you pause, ponder, and progress in your personal and professional life.
- Complete a Personal S.W.O.T. Analysis –Have you recently taken a moment to reflect upon your current Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats in the form of a Personal S.W.O.T. Analysis? Conducting a S.W.O.T. Analysis is a very common business practice which allows businesses to assess ways in which an organization compares to its competitors and to assist with creating sound business practices. When creating and promoting your own personal brand, conducting your own S.W.O.T. Analysis will provide you with the option to assess similar elements related to your internal characteristics and external factors for success. You can then determine top concerns and next steps for progress. A helpful worksheet to allow you to conduct your own S.W.O.T. Analysis may be found here (Source: Smartsheet). When completing a personal S.W.O.T. Analysis, you will want to consider questions related to:
- Strengths—What advantages do you have that others may not have (such as skills, certifications, education, or connections)? What do other people (such as supervisors) see as your strengths? Which of your achievements are you most proud of?
- Weaknesses—What tasks do you usually avoid because you do not feel confident? What do other people around you see as your weaknesses? What may be some of your negative work habits/traits holding you back in your career?
- Opportunities—What new technology can help you? Is your industry growing and if so, are you able to take advantage of the current market? Are you able to take on a new role in your current company and/or fill in for a colleague who is going on leave so that you may learn new skills?
- Threats—What obstacles do you currently face at your current job or in general? Does changing technology threaten your position? Are any of your colleagues competing with you for projects or roles?
- Assess Your Career Wellness –Have you taken a “pulse check” lately related to career satisfaction and well-being? Are you struggling with feeling unfulfilled and trying to decide whether you need to take a rest, or to make a complete career pivot? Our Career Wellness Assessment will allow you to determine how well your career aligns with your current needs and desires across 7 different dimensions:
- Job Satisfaction—Fulfillment with your current job and overall well—being in the workplace.
- Work-Life Balance—Ability to cope with stress, as well as balance professional and personal commitments.
- Interests—Extent to which your career aligns with your top interests.
- Values—Alignment between your work environment/occupation and your core values.
- Skills—Opportunities to apply and enhance your knowledge and skills.
- Compensation and Benefits—Feeling fulfilled with your pay, benefits, and income stability.
- Career Resiliency—Ability to withstand job market changes and access career development opportunities.
- Create one S.M.A.R.T. Goal Related to Your Career–Do you feel challenged with making progress towards your career goals because they seem nebulous or lack clear definition? Identifying and documenting at least one S.M.A.R.T. goal, or a goal that is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, will provide you with a roadmap to follow when desiring to outline a well-defined objective which aligns with your overall career aspirations. Utilize our S.M.A.R.T. Goal Worksheet to convert your ideas and larger goals into more tangible, attainable steps.
Working on these activities may not only provide you with valuable insights to plan and attain your goals…this process of “pause, ponder, and progress” will also offer you the opportunity to gain a head start on your goals. If you need further assistance with any aspect of the career development process, please feel free to contact us.
