Whats on your career bucket list - Viewpoint - careers advice blog Viewpoint careers advice blog

What’s on your career bucket list - Viewpoint - careers advice blog Many of us draw up a bucket list of things we’d like to do or achieve in our personal lives, such as learning how to dance salsa, trying sky-diving, trekking to Everest base camp, or writing a book â€" but how many of us think about creating a bucket list of milestones for our professional lives? Writing down a list of all the things you want to achieve in your career can be extremely motivating and help to keep you focused and passionate about what you do in your working life. Depending on your career, items on your bucket list will vary, but here are ten ideas to get you thinking: 1. I want to work and live in another country As well as being great for your CV and future career prospects, working in a different country can be deeply enriching and rewarding on a personal level. To avoid this dream remaining unfulfilled, youll need a concrete plan that may involve acquiring additional skills, including learning a new language. Making it happen is likely to take time so the sooner you get started, the better. 2. I want to be seen as an expert in my field   This isn’t just about status but about bringing value to your role that is recognised by your peers, and senior managers. To achieve this, you need to stay informed about what’s going on in your sector and elsewhere, through networking, reading, and being endlessly inquisitive. 3. I want to become a mentor   Do you see yourself in a mentoring role? Having this as a goal will help shape your career and can inform your choices about learning new skills and/or changing jobs. 4. I want to learn a new language This could be linked to the first item on the list, although your language skills can be deployed wherever you are based. Just imagine the advantages you’d gain by being able to speak Mandarin to your customers in China, for instance? 5. I want to master a new skill(s) Acquiring a valued skill, such as coding, can not only stretch you, you will also possess skills that are highly marketable and may lead to new opportunities. It could even open up a whole new career path and help keep your skills relevant for the future jobs market. 6. I want to gain the confidence to ask for a pay rise, and get one While no one is likely to turn down the offer of a pay rise, we’re often daunted by the idea of asking for one, perhaps because deep down we don’t think we’re worth it. Build up your confidence by setting yourself targets and bringing value to the team. Then you’ll feel more assured about asking for a hike in pay â€" you may find this blog helpful. 7. I want to become confident in public speaking If this is an area that makes you uncomfortable, search online for tuition or watch how the experts do it at TED, for instance, and practise. Being a skilled presenter is a great skill to have and one that can really make you stand out. 8. I want to learn how to lead and inspire others You can learn so much these days from leaders you admire simply because what they do and how they do it is widely available in books and online. Why not try and identify one key leadership skill a week and add it to your daily practice at work? 9. I want to be my own boss This is a great dream to have and highly achievable if you put your mind to it. Getting there may involve a separate to-do list, so what are you waiting for? 10. I want to make sure each CEO of each company I work at knows my name This implies standing out for all the right reasons and being recognised for your effort and commitment, and the great work you do. Being noticed definitely helps to advance your career, so back yourself and have the confidence to stand out from the crowd. 11. I want to have the courage to speak up and make a change if I am unhappy in a role While there are highs and lows with every role, it’s important not to compromise on your ambitions and where you want to get to in your career. Speaking up takes courage, but if you really are unhappy in a role don’t be afraid to say so â€" or look for a change and a new challenge. 12. I want to achieve something good every day Promising yourself to achieve something good on a personal and/or professional level every day will add to your sense of purpose and can spur you on to learn new things and acquire new skills. But the goal doesn’t always have to be a personal one, as achieving something good on behalf of someone else, the team, or organisation, is also important and will be just as rewarding. 13. I want to get promoted Getting this down in writing can be the first step in manifesting your career goals. Promotions are earned by showing your ability and performance over time â€" having this one on your list will help to keep you on track. 14. I want to achieve a healthy and happy work-life balance Work is rewarding in so many more ways than the salary and benefits we receive from an employer. It gives us a sense of purpose, we get to make a difference, we can be of service to others â€" the list goes on. However, to be happy and stay healthy we need to strike the right balance by investing in our life outside of work, whether it’s taking up a sport or hobby, spending quality time with friends, family or loved ones, or simply making some time for yourself. My colleague Christine Wright, has recently provided some helpful advice on how to achieve a good work-life balance in this blog. 15. I want to continually educate myself As the saying goes, “every day is a school day”, and adding this to your bucket list will be a constant reminder that even if schoolbooks and lessons are a distant memory, your education goes on. The difference is, now you’re responsible for continuing to learn new things and for making sure the journey never stops! 16. I want to set a good example for my children There’s no magic formula or mystery involved when it comes to setting a good example for your children. Through your actions of working hard, setting and achieving goals, and always striving to do your best, you’ll give them the kind of inherited values that no amount of money can buy. 17. I want to be happy and fulfilled in my role This is not to simply wish for greater job satisfaction, but to commit to doing whatever it takes to achieve it, whether that’s acquiring more advanced skills, asking for more responsibility, or taking more initiative â€" the ball’s in your court. 18. I want to retire early Depending on your age and where you are in your career, the dream of retiring early may seem more like wishful thinking than an achievable future, but if you’re serious then it can be a great way of galvanising your efforts. As with any goal, the clearer you can be the better, so work out what you need to do first then set a date. 19. I want to use up all of my annual leave entitlement This one resonates with achieving a good work-life balance. To do so may mean not succumbing to pressure at work and cancelling or postponing annual leave. Not going on holiday may carry favour with your boss, but you could end up stressed and burnt out in the long run, so use your annual leave to re-charge those batteries. You should never feel guilty about taking time off, as our CEO explains in this LinkedIn Influencer blog. 20. I want to work in a variety of industries This is a good one for the list as the world of work has changed and few careers are for life these days. Seen positively, this means you don’t have to confine yourself to one industry and by ensuring you have transferrable skills, you can work in other sectors as well. So there you have it, a career bucket list to use as is or adapt to suit your own personal goals and ambitions. And no matter what stage you are in your career, compiling a career bucket list can be a powerful way of articulating what you want to achieve, and planning how to get there. Want to progress in your career? Our career progression tips will help you get to where you want to be 10 tips towards becoming a better communicator When is the best time to have a job interview? What size company is the right fit for you? 11 ways to become more productive at work Do you know how and when to say no? Share this blog: