The beginning of the year presents a chance to set new goals for your career.

Career goals give us clarity on the job opportunities we should accept or reject.

Career goals inform us on what habits and activities we should prioritize for the year.

Unfortunately, most people do not set career goals.

This is because they are afraid of failure.

It could be that they have set goals in the past that failed.

Or they don’t want to set a standard for themselves that could lead to failure.

So, they resort to living a life without a direction, no focus, no failure, and thus no success.

Is there a way to set goals without evoking feelings of failure?

Yes, using questions whose answers are pointers to career goals.

In this article, we are going to explore 5 questions that will guide your career goals:

1. What industries or sectors interest me for future growth?

2. What new skills do I want to acquire?

3. How can I create a fulfilling and sustainable career without compromising my well-being?

4. How can I expand my professional network?

5.  What projects do I want to complete this year to stretch my abilities?

1. What industries or sectors interest me for future growth?

This is an important question that will guide the trajectory of your career growth.

1. Do you want to climb the ladder in your current industry/sector?

2. Or do you want to pivot to a different industry?

As you respond to this question, consider the following:

• What sectors/industries are aligned to your passion and values?

• What trends or innovations are in your target industries/sectors?

• What is the impact of technological advancements on different industries?

The answers to these questions will give you clarity on what industries or sectors you need to pursue.

2. What new skills do I want to acquire?

Skills are the new currency of work.

Skills are replacing degrees, and years of experience due to a rapidly changing workspace.

Despite where you are, this should be a year of improving your skills.

Consider the following questions to identify the skills you need to focus on:

• What skills will get you to the next level?

• What technical skills are you building this year?

• What soft skills do you need to succeed this year?

• What are the emerging skills in your field and related areas?

• What skills do the people at the top of your industry/sector have?

• Which skills are in high demand at your workplace? In your industry?

 Once you identify the skills, develop a plan for acquiring and honing these skills through courses, workshops, or on-the-job experiences.

3. How can I create a fulfilling and sustainable career without compromising my well-being?

You need to always prioritize your well-being for you are replaceable at work.

If you drop dead today, your workmates will be genuinely sad and your company will replace you. No matter how good they are.

But you can’t be replaced in your family.

Your career needs to be fulfilling. It needs to make an impact or make you money.

Your career needs to be sustainable. You need to be able to show up both at work and at home.

Consider the following questions as you set goals on your well-being:

• What are your self-care routines?

• What does career fulfillment mean to you?

• What well-being practices will you adopt to avoid burnout?

• What boundaries do you need to set to maintain a healthy work-life balance?

Evaluate your current work habits and identify areas for improvement.

If change at your current job is not possible, explore career opportunities that will help you prioritize your well-being.

 4. How can I expand my professional network?

Your network is your net worth.

The people you know, will inspire you to grow.

The people who know you, will open doors for you.

Your professional network is your social capital that you can leverage to achieve your goals.

Consider the following questions to expand your professional network:

• Who can you approach for professional mentorship?

• What relevant professional memberships/clubs can you join?

• How can you use your online platforms to expand your network?

• Who are the key individuals in your industry/sector that you admire?

• What are the key industry events and conferences that you should not miss?

As you expand your professional network, you will be known for your skills.

Seek to contribute to this network.

Give, give, give before you ask.

This network will provide valuable referrals when you are looking for a job.

5. What projects do I want to complete this year to stretch my abilities?

The projects you successfully accomplish are a critical piece of your growth.

Good projects give you a chance to utilize both your technical and soft skills.

Great projects stretch your abilities and force you to learn new skills.

Your years of experience don’t matter if you are doing the same things every year.

One year of projects that stretch your abilities is worth more than five years of doing the same thing every day.

Consider these questions:

• What side projects can you do to improve your skills?

• What collaborative projects can give you a diverse experience?

• How can you join work projects that contribute to your growth?

• What are some workplace projects that align with your career goals?

• What projects can you complete to help you pivot to a different industry?

Set specific and measurable goals to track your progress on each project.

Remember that is not about the number of projects you complete, but it’s about the skills, experiences and networks you will gain in each project.

By addressing these 5 questions, you will gain valuable insights into your career goals.

Grab a piece of paper or a digital notebook and write down one career goal for each question.

This will give you 5 realistic career goals for the year and you’ll be on your way to success.

Happy new year 2024!