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Sometimes with the change of seasons we start thinking about change in our own lives. Maybe you’re starting to see the payoff from those New Year’s resolutions. Maybe more daylight has given you an energy boost when considering your work life. Maybe Spring has you thinking about growth, including the next steps you want to take in your career. One way to think about both short-term and long-term changes is by using a Career Map. It’s a simple guide that helps you envision your career along a timeline. Try these tips to get started.

1-Consider where you are right now. Take some time to write down what you think are your strongest skills, traits, and talents. Most importantly, think about those skills and abilities you most enjoy using both on the job and personally. What do you feel best at and love doing? Write it all down. This part of mapping ensures you are using the talents you enjoy, not just going through the motions.

2-Identify the goals that are most important to you. Your career map is all about you and it can be as flexible as you want. You may have a goal of owning your own company by 35 so your map will be more long-term and outline the steps needed to get you there. Or, you may want to advance in your current position and your map may be shorter with steps to help you develop in place. There are many ways to create your map and, unlike company performance measures, these goals and timetables are completely up to you.

3-Make your timeline achievable and meaningful. It’s great to have big goals but give yourself the best chance of success by creating a realistic plan and timeline. Trying to do too many things at once may not fit into your life right now. Or meeting a career goal that society or culture says is important, but you don’t, means you’ll create a map but probably won’t use it. Your milestones should be achievable and reflect what success means to you.

Start working on your career map using these tips. Next week, we’ll have more tips to help you add information and complete your map. Stay tuned.

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