Are You Meeting Your Yearly Goals?

With the year more than half over, it's a good time to revisit the career goals or plans you made at the beginning of the year. You still have several months to complete goals, to change them, or to set new ones. Look at each goal you have set and ask yourself these questions:

• Is the goal still relevant today?


• Have I taken steps toward completing the goal?


• Have I reached the goal?


• If I have not reached the goal, am I likely to reach it within the timeframe I have set?


• Is there anything more I can do to reach my goal?

If your goal is still relevant, keep taking steps toward it or revise the steps that did not work. If the goal is no longer relevant, toss it. Could you or should you set new goals? If so, ask yourself these questions:

• What new career goal should I set?


• What are the steps I should take to reach this goal?


• What is the timeframe for this goal?


• What rewards will I gain by reaching this goal?

When you decide on new goals or make changes to established goals, write them down. Be specific and realistic. Set a deadline and have a way to measure whether you have reached the goal.

Attain Career Success Despite the Economy

As the economy continues to suffer from weak job news, those of us who have jobs should be vigilant in maintaining them. To attain career success in the economy, concentrate on ways to be a valuable employee. Ask yourself these questions:

• In what ways can you add value to your company?


• What other responsibilities can you take on that will increase your worth to the employer?


• What can you do to personally improve yourself (i.e. take a class, join a professional organization, learn a new skill, etc.)?


• Can you make your boss's life easier?


• Can you think of ways to save your employer money?


• Can you think of ways to save your employer time?

Get a clear picture in your mind of what you can do to be successful on the job and then work towards it.

Keep Your Life in Balance

Another holiday weekend provides us with another chance to balance our professional life and personal life through rest and relaxation. Here are some tips to keep your life in balance not only during a holiday weekend, but also throughout the year.

• Develop a routine that allows just the right mix between time spent on your personal life and professional life. Too much time or too little time spent on either can upset the balance needed to live your best life.


• Create a daily plan.


• Focus on the tasks you absolutely have to do and downgrade the rest according to how necessary it is to complete them.


• Forget about things you cannot change. Banish irrational and pointless worry.


• When problems arise, step back and look for solutions. Do not let problems paralyze you.


• Ask for help when you need it.


• Keep work and ambitions in check--balance them with family, friends, hobbies, and interests.


• Take a breather. Sit quietly and focus on your breathing for several minutes.


• Keep company with people who lift you up, not those who tear you down.


• Do your part in taking care of your health by eating right and exercising.


• Let go of anger and grudges that erode your peace of mind.

Never lose sight of what is most important to you. Take time to relax and enjoy family and friends this Fourth of July. And remember the servicemen and servicewomen who sacrifice for us.