Plan your career-make Bright Future

 

A scores of article has been written,much has been researched, but the area of career Planing for development remain one of interest.When you plan your career,you are in position to set a goal as per your needs,achieve your goal with limited resources within stipulated period,and work at it with a disciplined,dedication, determination and devotion setting mile-stone in your life.The career plan once constructed acts as a reminder to you. It tells you what you have accomplished and how well you are progressing.

An Unplanned life is like a game of football without goalpost : neither interesting to the players nor the viewers.

Analyse your Needs :

How do I do this, you might very well ask.Here are two ways you can try.One is to fantasise and to write ten line on what exactly you see yourself doing after five years.Be specific and write without restriction.Offer adequate Space to your mind and do not allow your vision to be coloured by preconceived notions or by what you are not  "supposed" to do.

The second exercise is more morbid but also effective.Complete the sentence "I would die Happy if..........."Visualise your imminent death and write what you would be happy to have achieved in terms of status,money,family,social responsibility and so on.

A SWOT analysis :

After identifying your needs,try to understand and analyse your Strengths and Weaknesses both in personality and environment,What could be the possible Opportunities in your life,what would stand to be the major Threats ( chunauti ) in your career ? Try to understand and answer "Where Am I ?"

Long-Term and Short-Term goals :

Reflect on the need you have noted and, based on "your strengths,weaknesses and possible opportunities,frame your long term and short term goals.For Example, if your analysed need was to teach,earn a good amount of money and have an acceptable status,few career avenues could be of your choice.You could become a management trainer-Provided your strengths include good knowledge of management,good presentation skills and high communication skills.Based on this long term goal,you could set up short term goals to accomplish.   

 The Obstructions :

Be specific: write down the shortcoming in your personality and in the environment which can keep you from achieving your goal.These shortcoming are relative and specific to your goal: they could be in the form of qualification,knowledge,certain skills,monetary status or your behavior.The moment you identify a shortcoming and make a commitment to change it.,it transforms itself into a possibility for growth.

 overcoming them :

Now write down what actions you will take to sublimate these shortcoming.Be specific,set deadlines.You might require to acquire new skills,upgrade existing skills or acquire new knowledge.

Ask for help :

It is difficult both to analyse one's behavioral weaknesses and to change them.All of us have well-wisher in parents,teachers,superiors,friends who could help,Identify people who can help to remove the possible barriers,and ask them for help.

 Analyse your role :
 
Set up a clear operational context and fill in the content-clearly specify all that you now have a framework to construct your career.If you are already working in an organisation, it is important to go into one more step,namely role analysis.Reflect on what is expected of you in the organisation,What kind of contribution will give you a distinct image ? Most people are not very conscious of their role.But,just as a product has to have a unique selling proposition,so will you have to do something which is relevant,refreshing  and impactful for the organisation to recognize your performance and give you recognition.

Successful people continuously evaluate what they are producing in comparison to the organisation's investment.They maintain their contribution in excess of the organisation's demands.

Most organisation in the country do not offer clear roles.It is for you to determine your role and identify means to achieve your goals.Organisations,of course,should also aim to develop clear roles for their people and have feedback mechanisms if they wish to retain good talents and keep them motivated.Many organisations,especially at middle and senior levels prefer to select self driven individuals who can understand the organisation processes and demands,and chalk out a clear role for themselves without much need of supervision.It is in this context that your own determination to be self-governed rather than allowing things to drift will pay rich dividends.

Based on the identification of your role you should set up clear,precise and specific short term and long term commitment and constantly review whether you are adhering to the time frame.

Your chances of success are far greater than in an unplanned career.