How to Create a Long Term Career Plan Your Blog
We all dream about a better job or starting our own company, but only a few people dare to take
the first step. One of the main reasons why they don’t is that they don’t see clearly what they
need to do to get where they want to go. If you want to spend more time with your family, earn
more money, have the weekends off, or work flexibly, you will have to create a long term career
plan. Below you will find a few tips on how to get started.
Sit Down and Imaging Your Perfect Work Environment
You need to know exactly what you want to do with your life, and give yourself some directions
to work towards. If you are into meditation and would like to dig deep into your unconscious
mind, you will discover your dream work environment and profession. Create a list of jobs you
would enjoy doing and choose the ones that are most likely to make you happy long term.
Write Down What You are Willing to Do for It
Once you have a career goal, you will have to commit to it. Most people forget about this step, and never get even close to becoming who they want to be. Whether you are looking to go back to college, devote some time for online learning, spend a few hours every night to get your website done and blog, you have to write these commitments down, so you don’t forget about the promise you made to yourself.
Invest In Your Education
If you are planning a career change, chances are that you will need to gain new qualifications. The good news is that even mothers with small children can learn thanks to online courses. You can look into policing degree courses, child care, or – if you would like to start your own business – get an MBA to manage your finances and your resources better.
Find the Right Work-Life Balance
It is also crucial that you maintain your work-life balance, especially if you have to look after a young family. Make sure that you have enough time to go out with your kids or teach them to read, or you are missing some very important years in their lives that will never come back. Create a daily and weekly schedule of learning and working, so you can still spend some quality time with your children.
Explore Different Opportunities
Your initial career choice should not be carved in stone, though. You will have to explore various avenues and career progression opportunities. You can enter a new industry as an apprentice, get your qualifications funded, or go out on your own, and choose your next employer freely.
If you would like to be in a better place five years from now, chances are that you have to sit down and brainstorm some career options. Consider the needs of your family members, your time limitations, and write down what you are looking to invest in your future
15 Comments
Sue E
You are an excellent blogger! You know what to say and say it beautifully! Not everyone has that talent!
I have thought and thought about it, but don’t think I can make the commitment like you have. Thank for sharing all your thoughts and knowledge!
Sarah L
When I was in the Air Force I had a plan to travel and I got to do a lot of it. Then I had a plan to get more education and a better job. Now I just plan what to do with my free time…
CJ
I am 35 and still don’t know what to do with my life. Sometimes you think you know what you’re gonna do in your 20’s and life takes you somewhere else. You never really know how things are gonna work out.
Kate Sarsfield
The thing about having a plan is knowing that it’s not set in stone. I was a food technologist and doing well in my chosen field when along came the recession in the ’80s. I ended up having to go to London & found work running a nursing home. So I up-skilled my admin/computer knowledge but ended up in Special Education, from there to teaching adults, retraining all the way and now look after Mum 24/7. By the time this stage of my life comes to a close, I’ll be in my 60s & pension age is 67, so who’s going to take me on?
Rosie
I do think it would be wise to have consultations with very experienced career counselors who are familiar with the field you want to enter, especially if older. Many magazines tout leaving your job for some form of self employment, but I have read it is often the turning point for people 50 and up to lose any financial security. Also to be careful about going in debt when older for a degree they don’t tend to hire older folks. Not to say don’t, just to be very, very careful. I know several people who left jobs to go into something like crafts or real estate, and when it didn’t pan out, by then could not get back into a career job again, and are doing minimum wage jobs. However, sometimes it can be fine, esp if you can get a degree with work paying towards tuition.
TammyLyne
Love this article and is great for those of us who have children at that age where they are trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives
Marisela Zuniga
love this article. all of this is so true!! having a career goal is important
Dana Rodriguez
This is a fantastic post. It really makes you think!
Natalie
These are all important things to consider, especially the work life balance. Education certainly is an investment and I would recommend pursuing a MBA.
Tracy Suzanne DeLoach
I wish we would have home more resourses like this years ago. I could have really benefitted from a five year plan. I should pass this on to my grandson who is graduating this year.
Kim Pincombe-Cole
What a great post. Encourages me to sit down and make my own long term goals. We do this with our financial advisor each year, but I really need to do one career related!
Tamra Phelps
I’m not sure I know enough about anything to blog about it, lol. I’ll have to think about that…
Rebecca W
I think it is important to have a written goal that you are working towards. That way you can be constantly reminded of what you are trying to achieve.
Kristen
It’s so true that sometimes people just don’t know how to get started or what steps to take. I have felt that….I am not afraid of hard work, just don’t always know what to do to make the things I want happen.
mami2jcn
My son would benefit from these ideas. Thanks for sharing them!