Create some SMART goals that allows this mission:
- I want more time with my family
Identify some opportunities for flexible work hours. For instance, if you are responsible for working with your global siblings in India, China, or other time zones, create a flexible work schedule that allows you to work 8 hours a day during their time zones. This may mean working earlier in the morning and/or later in the evening; leaving the afternoon and early evening free for the family.
Identify some opportunities to work 4 days a week and/or compensation time for hours over 40 hours a week.
- I want to be able to take my vacations this year
Plan out your summer, fall, spring vacation schedule now. Even if you don’t know exactly what you will be doing on these vacations, block out the time on your calendar NOW. Report your vacation schedule to your managers and project managers NOW — so that they can schedule/manage the project schedules around this known resource allocation spike.
- I want to regularly work 40 hours a week.
Take responsibility for your own calendar. Be your own time manager. Use the time management tips we have been discussing in these lessons to define what you reasonably do in a 40 hour work week. Schedule your day as a 6 hour day (versus 8 hour day), so that you have the buffer to absorb a certain amount of spontaneity and emergencies. Use the Sprint and Buffer techniques previously discussed. Review the 12TricksToRealisticScheduling Presentation Notes.pdf eBook for more tips. (Need to be enrolled in this program for the actual files).
- I want to work on more high-profile and next generation products
Create your individual professional development plan that allows you to acquire the skill set for the next technology.
Schedule several Brown Bag Lunch series and/or Conference presentation on the next generation technology
Volunteer your services to sibling departments that are working on the more high-profile projects
Volunteer to help the technical support staff on customer calls on the high-profile products, to get to know the high-profile clients
Create your INP (Individual Network Plan) to include your companies global departments, affiliates and clients
- I want to be considered the expert in a critical company department
Define opportunities to expose and gain expertise: write articles, blogs, presentation, brown bag lunches, facilitate educational chat groups
Volunteer to bring in experts to train and discuss new concepts and technology
Attend professional associations and organizational meetings on similar topics
Volunteer to speak at outside professional organizations or webinars.
Conduct interview for your company newsletters and blogs. Create your interview list around this technology.
- I don’t want to fear being fired or laid off
Understand the company mission statement and business goals
Everything you accomplish, tie it to the company bottom line and mission statement
Continue to develop your business network with your Individual Network Plan (need to enroll to receive the worksheet).
Self-evaluate your current goals and progress. Request quarterly evaluations with your management chain.
Continue to market yourself in the appropriate way.
- I don’t want to be afraid of a company re-organization
Be an agent of opportunity. Keep your resume up to date. Keep an open mind on other positions that feed your goals.
Continue to market yourself in the appropriate way both inside and out of this particular company.
Review the companies’ job listing as well as other job opportunities. Look at the attributes that most of those companies are requesting and include them in your transferable skill table.
Review the lesson on transferable skills as well as the worksheet.
- I want to receive an “Exceptional” performance review or an “exceeds expectation” rating.
Understand the attributes of an ‘exceptional rating’. Get them in writing in your PBC (Personal Business Commitments).
Once you get them in writing and signed off by your manager, continually work toward focus on these goals.
The moment you see your manager’s work requests do not match the above goals, meet with your manager to re-assess and re-write your PBC.(need to enroll in class to receive the PBC worksheet).
Verify that everything that you are spending your time on — supports the ‘Exceptional rating” that you and your manager agreed to IN WRITING.
It is important to have it in writing, such that any changes in management still supports this written agreement.
Request co-worker’s ‘thank you’ notes and recognition letters (with copies to your manager) when you assist a sibling department
Keep an achievement folder throughout the year
- I want a promotion within 2 years.
Create your Personal Development Plan to include this 2 year promotion
Understand the steps that are required to get a promotion within two years
Continue to review these attributes in your manager’s one-on-one meetings and quarterly review
Know where you stand at every step:
Understand, at every step, where you stand on these goals so that you can immediate course-correct when necessary.
Review all these plans with your manager.
Take full advantage of your one-on-one and quarterly meetings with your managers and management chain.
Don’t keep your career plans a secret. Ask for what you really want. Make your manager a co-creator and collaborator (versus a judge).
