Make your career goals specific. Instead of “I want a better career,” write exactly what you want, whether it’s a specific role, company, or path.

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There’s a big difference between a dream and a career goal, and it starts with a plan. I learned this firsthand when I made one of the boldest moves of my career. In March 2022, I took out a piece of paper and scribbled two words: Leave Academia. Next to it, I wrote a deadline: July 2022. Three months later, I’d achieved it. What made the difference wasn’t ambition—it was having a plan. Since then, I’ve coached others to achieve their own goals using this framework.

Write It Down and Give It a Date

You may have heard of SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Here is what that looks like in practice. In my case, the career goal wasn’t just Leave Academia. My long-term goal was to help people through leadership development and coaching.

Make yours similarly specific. Instead of “I want a better career,” articulate exactly what you want, whether it’s a specific role, company, or path. Then make it measurable with concrete checkpoints, achievable given your current circumstances, relevant to your values and long-term vision, and time-bound with a real deadline.

Work Backwards to Create an Action Plan

A career goal that seems “too big” can be daunting and inspire a sort of freeze state. The antidote is breaking it down into smaller, bite-sized chunks. Work backwards from your deadline: what do you need to accomplish in the next three months to get started? What do you need to do this month? What are three specific actions you can take in the next two to three weeks?

When I committed to leaving academia, I wrote down everything I needed to do to make it happen. My action plan included updating my CV, getting new headshots, talking to people who had shifted from academia to the corporate world, meeting with my financial advisor to discuss financial cushion planning, updating my LinkedIn profile, lining up references, and buying a new business suit—among other things.

Keep Moving—and Don’t Forget to Celebrate

Even with a solid plan, the path toward your career goals won’t always be straight. When things feel like they aren’t moving, remember, a delay is not a denial. Instead of thinking, “I’m never going to get there,” ask yourself, “What can I do today to help me get closer?” That reframe keeps the momentum going.

Finally, when you do hit milestones, celebrate them. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. The point is to acknowledge your progress along the way. Small wins deserve recognition, and that recognition can keep you motivated.

Career Goals Are Built on Small Steps

Each small step you accomplish toward a goal is a mark of progress, and each goal you accomplish is a step toward living out your deeper purpose. That’s what this framework is really about. You can start today. Identify the very first action you can take this week. Write it down, put it on your calendar, and commit to completing it within seven days. Small as it may seem, that’s how career goals are achieved: one step at a time.