Many people set goals at the start of a new year but why wait if you are ready to take control of your future and your career destiny now.  Resolutions are powerful tools and can take your career to the next level but most people get stuck on the follow-through of the goal and it turns into a dust covered wish over time.

If you want action, you need a plan! Goal setting is the best way to turn resolutions into results. It’s time to define your objectives in practical and measurable terms so you can hold yourself accountable and get the results you really want.

First, you need to identify what you want and then you need to develop a road map to get there. Research tells us that when we set measurable goals, we are more likely to achieve them.

The SMART system is a very useful strategy for goal setting. Define your goals to meet the following criteria:

S – Specific

M – Measurable

A – Achievable

R – Realistic

T – Timely

In order to be specific, achievable and realistic, your goals need to be concrete, concise, and attainable. Instead of saying – “I want a new job this year.” You need to specify “I want a higher paying job with more challenges in the marketing industry that allows me to play to my strengths.” Now you are ready to work towards getting something very precise and this focus will help in your job search process.

You must frame your goals in such a way that you can measure your progress. For example, plan to keep a log of the informational interviews you have conducted, network contacts that you have developed, and job applications that you have made in your field. If you can measure it then you can reflect on the progress you have made and ramp it up accordingly if you have not yet achieved the end goal.

Give yourself a reasonable time frame to achieve your goal. It’s unrealistic to suggest that you will land your perfect job in a week. So, break it down into smaller baby steps and focus on adding 5 new network contacts within a month, attending 2 professional development events in the next few weeks, and participating in a job shadow experience before the end of the summer, for example. It’s gratifying to accomplish short term as well as long term goals so break things up into smaller and more easily attainable goals along the way towards your ultimate goal.

Keep notes, a journal, a spreadsheet, or some sort of tracking system to hold yourself accountable so you can track your progress and reward yourself for all of your accomplishments along the way. Check in with yourself regularly or tap into your resource team and ask someone in your circle of trust (a coach, a friend or colleague, etc.) to be your accountability master if you believe that you won’t be strict enough yourself. Having someone check in with you might just be the nudge you need to move forward.

So get out there and set some SMART goals!