While the year 2024 could still be described as a “new year”, it’s already February and a good time to revisit progress on personal education goals and career plans. A common denominator found with most ‘new year” resolutions include plans to accomplish a new challenge or kickout a detrimental habit. The first part involves identifying a specific need to be fulfilled or the realization of an existing but unproductive lifestyle that needs to be dropped. This first step is critical and leads the way to formulating a more nuanced and substantive game plan or ground game for the new year resolution! However, the challenge almost certainly remains as to whether focused attention, discipline and motivation can be sustained long enough to achieve such noble plans.
Resolutions for a new year come in different shapes and forms. For example, conscious efforts of improving personal health may include gym membership with plans of regular physical activities. It could involve attention to better and healthy dietary choices, learning a new language, sport, or vocation. The key to long-term and sustainable success is envisioning yourself at the desired destination. How would you define success and what would your defined and desired destination look like? While success may be relative, it is critical to predefine what your end goal would look like, including tangible and realistic milestones that serve as guardrails towards your goal. Milestones keep you on track and provide timely helpful reminders enabling you recalibrate progress.
With specific reference to educational growth, professional development or career plans, focus and discipline remain major ingredients. Several opportunities abound, but the pursuit of valuable and rewarding endeavors often require staying power and dogged determination. Keep the goal simple and modular by:
First, identify what area(s) of educational or professional development you want to embark upon. This step should include obtaining adequate and relevant information, including speaking to friends or professionals already involved within the same or similar areas. Essentially, do your homework!
Next, establish a reasonable timeline or time frame to accomplish set goals.
Then, determine what resources would be required, e.g., weekly time commitment, financial costs, format (virtual, in-person, or hybrid).
Importantly, undertake a “value-path diagnosis” to determine what trajectory would yield the maximum benefit for your investment, e.g., a certification, undergrad or graduate degree, new career path, etc. Simply put, perform a cost-benefit analysis!
Lastly, establish tangible and measurable milestones (monthly, quarterly, bi-yearly, etc.).
As you navigate through this “new” journey, it is important to celebrate your progress, no matter how small or significant. View temporary setbacks as a learning experience, and fuel that both rekindles and propels you into your desired future. Accomplishing anything of value requires time, persistence and “laser-focused” focus! Go get it!
Dr. Imoh Okon