TCEP 252: Engineer Your Career: 3 Steps to Effective Goal Setting in 2024

In this episode, I talk about three engineer-approved steps for effective goal-setting that will turbocharge your career every 90 days. Whether it's professional or personal, these steps are your secret sauce.

***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***

Engineering Quotes:

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Engineer Your Career: 3 Steps to Effective Goal Setting in 2024:

Setting goals is like having a career roadmap. They help engineers make focused decisions, whether it's choosing a job or planning further education. Goals, like the book "Where Will You Be Five Years From Today?" suggests, make sure you're planning for success today. They not only maintain focus but also drive continuous improvement, a must for any engineer. Plus, goals keep you accountable when shared with a mentor or friend. So, embrace goals — they keep you on track, drive action, and ensure your career journey is purposeful.

Performance goals are like your personal standards — whether it's maintaining a GPA or hitting billable hours at work, you set the bar. It's all within your control. Then there are outcome goals, the big wins like landing a job or getting a PE license. But these depend on external factors, like job availability. When setting goals, find what works best for you — mix and match process, performance, and outcome goals to stay motivated.

Let's break down the goal-setting game:

Step one: Set the foundation by defining your values and pillars, ensuring they align with what truly matters to you.

Step two: Ask yourself key questions about your career goals, motivations, necessary steps, and potential helpers. Ensure your goals align with your established pillars.

Step three: Make your goals SMART. Specific (clearly defined), Measurable (quantifiable progress), Attainable (reachable milestones), Relevant (aligned with your career vision), and Time-Bound (set deadlines for that extra push). Remember, SMART goals are the secret sauce for turning aspirations into achievements. Get specific, measure up, stay attainable, stay relevant, and set those deadlines!

In summary, embrace a robust goal-setting process: Start by defining values and creating foundational pillars. Pose four key questions about career goals — where, why, steps, and who. Lastly, ensure goals are SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. This streamlined approach empowers individuals to translate aspirations into tangible career success.

More Details in This Episode…

Books Mentioned in This Episode:

Where Will You Be Five Years From Today?

Sources/References:

BIM

AutoCAD

Pass the FE Exam YouTube Channel

Pass the PE Exam YouTube Channel

Engineering Leadership Accelerator Course

This Episode Is Brought to You by PPI:

PPI has helped engineers achieve their licensing goals since 1975. Passing the FE and PE exams can open doors to career advancement and new opportunities. Check out PPI's wide range of prep options, including Live Online courses, on-demand courses, and digital study tools, to help prepare you to pass your licensing exam. Check out PPI today at ppi2pass.com to see all the options available for FE and PE exam prep.

We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you can share on the effective goal setting techniques you use.

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To your success,