Goal Setting: Visualizing & Achieving a New Career Path

May 13, 2019 in Career and Job Search Tips

 

 

Do you have goals for your career, but often feel stunted in your professional growth? According to many research findings, when you picture success in your mind’s eye, your brain stores that information as real success. However, effective visualization requires more than daydreaming and wishing. It requires a commitment to investing in yourself both personally and professionally, as well as learning how to overcome the roadblocks that may be setting you back. This process does not happen overnight and involves a commitment to your long-term goals while taking small steps every day toward your vision. As you start your journey to a new career path, here are some important steps you can take to bring your vision to life.

                       

Gain clarity.

How specific is your vision? Many people claim to have a vision for their lives, but often end up still feeling confused and unclear about what they truly want. Before you can move forward to the process of goal setting, you must gain clarity on what you want – and why. For example, you may see yourself performing a certain job. However, have you considered the types of skills you may need for that position? Have you thought about the path of advancement in the role? As you undergo this process, there are many exercises you can do to get clearer on what you want out of life and discover your deeper purpose. By going beyond a certain job title and viewing your goals within the context of your life, you’ll begin to gain clarity about what you’ll be doing in your new desired career – rather than just what you want to be.

Seek feedback and support.   

Whether you’re looking for a change in jobs or an entirely new career path, there’s no denying this process can be lonely and overwhelming. If you’re feeling lost or like you’re on an island all by yourself, it’s important you seek the guidance of others who can help you. Gathering feedback from some trusted mentors or colleagues will help you stay on track to meet your goals, as well as hold you accountable for your own decisions and actions. If you’re struggling to find professional mentors or coaches, consider joining an industry group or organization in your area. You can also check out Kinsa CareerEdge, a free online career resource which can help you gain a competitive edge in your professional development journey. Leveraging your network and the resources available to you will help you develop valuable relationships with others in your desired career path, ultimately opening doors to job opportunities that align with your vision.

Set yourself up for success.

While you may have developed a “crystal clear” vision of what you want to achieve, a significant part of visualization requires you to physically set yourself up for success. This means creating the right conditions that will allow you to take meaningful action and get you one step closer to your goals. For example, if your goal is to transition into a management job in the food industry, you may look for local networking events in which you can connect and network with professionals in the field. Marking these events in your calendar will help you stay accountable to your goals, as you’ll be blocking off time to make these commitments. The best way to set yourself up for success is to think about the specific steps you need to take to reach your goals – and establish a realistic plan to take these steps.

 

Are you ready to embark on a new career in the food and beverage industry?

Get started with Kinsa Group today or search food & beverage executive and professional jobs on our website.