How to balance daily tasks and reach your long-term career goals
Is your job getting in the way of the career you want?
A topic which comes up a lot in my coaching sessions is how to balance your long-term career goals with the demands of your current role.
Like one client put it, it’s easy to get caught up in the ‘hamster wheel’ of daily tasks — and forget to allocate time to your long-term priorities. Especially when the pace of change in the past couple of years has forced us to focus on fighting fires and short-term strategy.
As this client experienced, thinking short-term led them to put their employer first. In the process, they completely neglected their own career goals and development. Had they not addressed this, it could have hindered their ability to reach their long-term goals and limited them to whatever path their organisation offered them.
And what I’m noticing right now as we get towards the end of the year is that SO many people are confused about what they want next in their careers. But they’re also busy, exhausted and waiting until the new year (like everyone else) to figure it out.
So what are some ways you can start to address this — and set yourself up for success next year?
Here are five ways to balance your daily to-do list and long-term career goals, so you can take back control of your career.
#1 — UNDERSTAND YOUR PRIORITIES
If you’re anything like me, you set huge goals for yourself and remain dedicated to reaching them. But here’s the truth…
Despite the best intentions, there are times when I become so overwhelmed with the size of the goals in front of me, I procrastinate. Or I’ll focus on small, unimportant tasks.
Can you relate? I’ve noticed this is common amongst my high-achieving clients, especially for those of us who struggle with perfectionism.
Ticking these ‘easy’ items off your to-do list may give you an immediate hit of achievement — yet it’s always short-lived. Because as the weeks (and months) go by, you realise you’ve made little headway on your most critical projects.
However, when you are clear on your biggest priorities and break them down into small steps… You will take meaningful action and accomplish your long-term career goals.
#2 — REALISE OVERWHELM IS A SIGN YOU LACK CLARITY
Do you feel overwhelmed by your daily to-do list? Are you struggling to figure out where to start when it comes to reaching your long-term goals? Let’s look closer at why you’re overwhelmed and how to get unstuck.
A few years ago I was feeling overwhelmed by all the things I ‘had to do.’ A mentor shared this wisdom, which changed EVERYTHING: ‘Overwhelm is simply a sign you’re lacking clarity.’
For you, this could be a lack of clarity on your career direction. Or assuming you know what your goals are, overwhelm indicates you haven’t broken them down into small enough steps.
Start by mapping out all the key milestones for each project or goal you’re working on. These are the specific tasks and action steps you need to take to complete it. Begin with the first action and if you get stuck, ask yourself: What’s the next best step I can take right now?
Here’s an example. If your long-term career goal is to move into a C-Suite position, your actions would include: clarifying the key criteria and non-negotiables for your next position; exploring the short and long-term career pathways available to you; identifying internal opportunities or external target companies of interest. A first step could be setting up a conversation with someone at this level, who is doing work which interests you.
When you focus on the first step, you will be one degree closer to your long term goal.
#3 — DO THE THING THAT CREATES DISCOMFORT
What if you’re clear on your goal and know it’s important — but for some reason you keep putting it off? You’re procrastinating because something is uncomfortable.
Sometimes the discomfort comes from having to do a task you dislike. In this case, keep the big picture in mind. Focus on why you’re working towards this goal and realise there will always be aspects you won’t enjoy.
For instance, I put off creating videos for ages, because I’m not good with technology and don’t love video editing. But it was more important to me to share my knowledge with others and get my message out there in video format.
More often though, a task is difficult because there is fear attached to it. You’re trying something new and are afraid of failing or what others will think.
The best way through fear is to do the thing you’re afraid of. In his book ‘Eat That Frog’, Brian Tracy recommends completing the biggest, most important or uncomfortable task at the start of each day.
Because when you move into action… you will overcome any resistance, build confidence and accomplish your goals over time.
#4 — SCHEDULE TIME FOR SELF-REFLECTION
One of the most overlooked steps is allocating regular time to career planning. In my experience, most people do this once or twice a year as they prepare for a performance review. Others wait until they’re looking for a new job.
You set your goals — and may even put some tasks on your to-do list to make them happen. Yet as soon as you’ve spoken to your boss about a pay-rise or sent out a few job applications, you forget about your goals until your next review or job move.
But career planning isn’t something you can do once, set and forget.
I believe it’s critical to make time each month to check in on your career. As Marie Forleo says, ‘if it isn’t scheduled, it isn’t real’.
What are your career goals? If you’re unsure, use this space to figure it out. Reflect on your progress towards your career goals and create a plan you can take action on in the next 30 days.
Because when you schedule regular time for self-reflection, you will reach your career goals.
#5 — ALLOCATE TIME FOR ACTION
Many people struggle to dedicate time for long-term career actions due to their daily workload. So it’s vital to put time in your calendar to implement your career plan.
Diarise at least an hour a week to take action towards your long-term goals, even if you’re happy in your current role. If you’re working towards a big professional goal such as a promotion, career change or finding a new job, carve out fifteen minutes a day. This could look like developing new skills, updating your resume or networking.
Here’s how to balance this with your existing workload. To manage your daily work responsibilities, I recommend identifying your top three tasks and number one priority to work on the next day. Treat the steps you take towards your long-term career goals in the same way, by prioritising them daily.
Think about it this way. Completing one task per week related to your long-term priorities is better than doing nothing for the next six months. Because when you take small steps over time, you will get to where you want to be, faster.
Here’s a challenge for you… What one specific action will you take this week to get one step closer to your long-term career goals? Schedule it in your calendar now.
These tips have helped my clients and I balance our daily tasks and long-term career goals. I hope they support you too!
Ready to stop feeling stuck and start taking ownership of your career, in less time?
Click HERE to book a free 30 minute consult and find out how coaching with me can support you!
Stacey Back is a Career Strategist, Leadership Coach + Founder of Profile Careers. She helps high-achievers at a career crossroads find the work that lights them up, increase their income, impact and create a career + life on their terms. Stacey works virtually with individuals and organisations based across the globe.