Proactive Career Management

It’s your career. You’ve got to ensure that you give yourself both the highest authority and the highest responsibility to it – don’t want for others to make your decisions for you!

Process

Using a career-planning partner (either someone else who is planning or a mentor) view for form below. Get both introspective and external feedback while brainstorming. 

Begin with the end in mind: Ideal

Brainstorm your ideal situation. It could be salary, work location, schedule flexibility, position, or any other career desire you have. Prioritize them in descending order so that number one is your most crucial.

Know what you don’t want: Avoid

For each ideal there is also going to be something you need to avoid. These may be difficult to identify, make sure you’re getting input from your partner. You may come up with several items to avoid, chart your most important issue only.

Set a date: Timeline

A goal with no timeline is just a dream. Get yourself on track by setting yourself a date, or several dates leading up to completion. Be firm but keep in mind that you’ve got plenty of other work to do in the meantime.  If you miss a date, reset it and take it more seriously.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help: Involve

Even if you believe that you can accomplish your ideal on your own you should still involve someone else. In certain cases the person you need the most help from is someone you don’t know or don’t communicate with effectively. Write them down, then plan on connecting with them on your ideal. You’ll be surprised how willing others are in helping someone else to reach a goal.

Measure your path & timeline: Result

Chart your success, and your shortcoming. Use the information for future planning

Ideal                 Avoid               Timeline            Involve           Result

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