SETTING PROFESSIONAL GOALS

SETTING PROFESSIONAL GOALS

BY: CHRIS BOLEMAN PRESIDENT AND CEO, HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO

I believe that the worst question you can ask in an interview is, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” Have I asked it of myself and others? Of course, but very few people have any idea where they will be in five years. That is just the way life is. However, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have a plan, goals, and dreams.

I am honored to be asked to serve as a guest writer for this issue! The topic I was asked to address is “setting professional goals.” So, I hope that the first paragraph was the right “hook” for you to want to continue to read this article. Below are five points I would like to share with you. Enjoy!

ONE

For me, setting personal goals is about personal growth. Your number one professional and personal goal is to continue to learn and grow. People that don’t reach goals typically get far too comfortable in their current situation. As soon as you turn off “your willingness to learn,” you have, in essence, quit chasing goals. So, even if you are in a position where you want to be the remainder of your career, that is great, but it doesn’t mean you can’t better yourself through learning. Remember, all of us have a “learning line.” A line that includes everything you already know about something, a subject, or a topic. However, every line on every subject can be moved based on your willingness and openness to learning. So, as I like to say, if you want to grow professionally and set goals, step one is a commitment to move your learning line!

TWO

As you are setting your goals, make sure they are aligned with your passion. So, point two is to chase your passion. For example, I have observed too many people who want to “move up” just to move up. They are chasing extrinsic factors and the glamor of the position. However, are they willing to do the work? Are they ready to make the tough decisions and accept the increased responsibility? The

answer to these questions is a heck of a lot easier when your professional goals line up with your purpose and passion. When personal passion aligns with organizational mission and purpose, you have hit the “sweet spot.” If you close your eyes and think about a most meaningful leader in your life and had the greatest impact, I promise you it was someone who felt that their purpose aligned closely with the organization. It is the right fit. It’s the “it” when people say, “that person gets it.”

THREE

Too many people are scared of change. It is not that we don’t aspire to do something different, think differently, or quit dreaming. We are simply afraid to take the step because there is uncertainty, uncomfortableness, and nervousness. Actually, these things are all good! It is what keeps us alive and helps us thrive. Remember your first visit to the university campus you eventually attended? Were you scared? Of course, but look at you now. In reality, change is good! In my opinion, change is good for the heart, the soul, and the mind. Embrace it. Own it.

FOUR

Never forget the power of falling forward. Everyone has failed to reach a professional goal — every single one of us. The reality is we learn a heck of a lot more from our failures than we do our successes. So, the key to failure is not actually “the failure.” It is the bounce back. The resilience. The fact that you learned from it and you don’t make the same failure twice.

FIVE

And most importantly, marry your best friend. I understand that this topic is “professional goals,” but the reality is you can not be successful professionally if you are not in a good place personally. For Randi and me, there is no goal we could ever reach without the full support of each other. Now, it may not be marriage for you, but it is about making sure you are in a good place personally. That is the key to professional success.

With that being said, I will summarize with this one question. Did your line just move? If it did, then this read was worth your time.

Finally, there is no way I can close this out without thanking you for all you do for the youth of Texas. I know that sounds cliché, but I can never say it enough. You are a difference-maker. You change lives. You are an inspiration to so many, including me!