Charting Ambitions 

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Charting Ambitions

Clarifying and writing out goals is an important step toward success.

FROM: MAY-JUN 2008 ISSUE | BY MINDY ABRAMOWITZ

In his book, What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School, Mark McCormack refers to a study of Harvard MBA students. In 1979, students were asked whether they had a written set of career goals, and plans to achieve them. Only three per cent responded in the affirmative. An additional 13 per cent indicated that they had goals and plans, but not in writing. Ten years later, these same Harvard graduates were polled again with results that confirm what many of us know intuitively: the 13 per cent who had devised goals and plans for themselves were earning twice as much as the group who had no precise goals. The three per cent who had articulated their goals and plans in writing were earning an average of 10 times more than the other 97 per cent of their peers.

What this anecdote tells us about the value of goal-setting and planning exercises may not be surprising to you: the more explicit and detailed the plan, the more successful the outcome.

Goal-Setting

To achieve your own ambitions, begin by identifying your goals. Where do you want to be in five years, 10 years, 20 years? For some, answering this question is the hardest part of the goal-setting process. Review past accomplishments. Weigh your professional aspirations against your personal expectations. Reflect on how your wants and needs might change over time. Dig deep, be honest with yourself, and be specific. Do you want to work in public practice, industry, the not-for-profit sector? What type of role appeals to you? What professional relationships do you want to cultivate? What sort of career arc do you envision for yourself?

Some were born knowing what they want to be “when they grow up,” but most of us were not. A forthright investigation of what type of work feels meaningful to you, draws on your aptitudes, and complements your ideals will provide some of the answers you need to set realistic career goals.

Research

Once you have a clear sense of what you want out of your career, it is helpful to research the job market to pinpoint industries, companies, and positions that are compatible with your objectives. The Employment Referral Service on your affiliate website is a great place to find out what types of positions are available. A 15 to 30 minute informational interview with someone working in your chosen field offers you access to an insider’s perspective and will expand your network.

An important component of an effective career plan is a timeline. The fear of failure is often cited as a reason people choose not to commit their goals to paper (or hard drive). However, statistics suggest that the very act of writing down your plans increases your chances of carrying them out.

Action Plan

A document detailing the future landmarks of your career is the frame on which to build your action plan. PD Net, specifically the Competency Assessment Tool (CAT), invites you to rate your skills in a variety of categories of skill sets. It compares your self-appraisal to the ideal competency profile corresponding to your dream position. Choose one of the preset profiles or create your own dossier of desirable competencies based on your career modelling research. The CAT will highlight your areas of strength, competence, and need. Pay special attention to the competencies assessed as “need.” These are the skills you will need to improve in order to successfully implement your career action plan.

PD Net’s professional development offerings are neatly organized into the same categories used by the CAT, which makes it very straightforward to address the skill deficiencies it detected. A host of seminars, webcasts, articles, and other learning resources are available to help you close the gap between what you know and what you need to know.

Remember that a career plan is a living document, subject to revision and change. So keep it close at hand and evaluate its relevance on a regular basis. When it comes time to progress from one step to the next, relish one of the great pleasures built into a written plan: crossing things off the list.

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