Do you ever get frustrated with all those self-improvement gurus and career coaches telling you to have specific, targeted goals?
It drives me crazy.
Some might describe me as goal-oriented person.
I like to-do lists, I tend to have multiple projects going, and I do talk about goals all the time. But they are short-term goals or project-oriented goals. Like….
- Finish this piece of software by the project deadline
- Install new flooring before the house goes on the market.
- Spend an hour playing with my children tonight.
- Get new trim put in the garden next year.
I like those kinds of goals.
But long-term goals aren’t my thing.
Especially not in the workplace.
I remember early in my career someone asked me, “where do you see yourself in five years?” I was stumped. I knew I wanted to move into software development, but I had no idea how to specialize. The thought of choosing just one direction of my many options overwhelmed me.
Around that same time a church leader asked me to identify my goals, and all I could come up with was “survive the children’s Christmas musical.”
And just four years ago a work leader asked me if I knew where I was going “next.” He counseled me to identify a specific technology or career path and move toward it. It was good advice.
But I had no idea.
And I felt like there was something wrong with me because I couldn’t describe some 5-year plan for personal advancement.
Building a life-plan has value – I’m not debating that. I just don’t have one.
I don’t even have a career-plan.
Instead, I have these simple career principles.
I don’t always meet them, but I always strive for them.
- Solve problems for your bosses
- Never stop learning
- Produce quality
- Own up to your mistakes
- Stay positive
- Give teammates the credit
Because of these principles, I always tell my bosses “yes” when they propose a project that is within my abilities. I usually say yes when it is beyond them!
I dive in head first, learn everything I can, start producing work, and start making a TON of mistakes. I admit to them, fix them, and then learn from them.
I work hard to produce good quality work on my own but I also assist others when they ask. I try to move obstacles out of their way. I own my mistakes and then praise the team for the successes.
And when things get challenging and others complain, I try to be the positive voice and give them another perspective. (Sometimes I need them to do the same for me, especially when things get stressful.).
The result of living by principles instead of being purely goal-driven is astounding.
I am no technology guru. I’m not an expert in business. I get stressed-out when I shouldn’t and need the encouragement of my bosses more than I probably should.
But because I followed those principles:
- My skills significantly and rapidly improved.
- I developed a reputation for being helpful, responsive, and producing good quality work.
- I earned the respect of my coworkers, who in turn praised my work to my boss.
- And he in turn gave me a promotion, after a few generous raises and bonuses.
I don’t say this to brag.
I point it out because maybe you are like me.
Maybe you struggle to figure out a career direction and you feel like you will always be “stuck” because you cannot follow the advice of the gurus and build a five-year plan. Maybe you want to feel like your work means something and you are frustrated from your mind spinning with undetermined direction.
So let it go.
Stop stressing about the vision casting.
Start thinking instead about what principles you live by. Write them out and evaluate your conduct in light of those principles. Find ways to ensure your conduct is exemplary and your contribution is consistent and of strong quality.
I cannot say this is a sure path to promotion, because every company is different. But I can say – your reputation will speak for itself. Coworkers and managers will come to respect you and value you. And you will be able to take pride in your work.
And life works the same as career.
I am not concerned that my children develop five-year growth plans. I am concerned that they learn to live by the principles of respect for themselves and others, a commitment to excellence, and generosity. I want them to be women of principle.
And if that’s what matters for my children, then I can let myself off the hook for not having a five-year-plan, too.
I want to be a woman of principle. The goals can come later.