Let's talk about career goals. You've probably heard of the SMART method, right? Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. It sounds so... well, smart. Like the sensible, responsible way to plan your career trajectory. And sometimes, it is!
But maybe you've found that ticking those boxes doesn't always light a fire in your belly. Sometimes, the most perfectly crafted SMART goal can feel a bit... meh.
For a long time, I felt like I should have clear, defined career goals. I saw people climbing ladders, hitting milestones, and I felt like I was just... drifting. Like a little boat bobbing on the waves, pushed this way and that by currents I didn't quite understand.
I knew I wanted a fulfilling job, a "dream job" even, but figuring out what that was felt impossible.
Then came the career break. Life happened, kids arrived, and my focus shifted entirely.
My professional life went on pause, and honestly, navigating nap schedules and toddler tantrums felt more demanding than any office job I'd ever had.
When the dust settled a bit, and I started thinking about "work" again, the idea of jumping back into a strict, predictable career path felt even less right for me.
But here’s the thing: even when I was drifting, even during the beautiful chaos of early parenthood, there was a constant thread.
Inspiring Career Goals
Rediscovering My Inner Compass
I’ve always loved creating things. Writing, playing with graphics, putting ideas into words and visuals – that was my happy place.
It wasn't exactly a "career goal" back then; it was just something I did because it felt natural and enjoyable.
In fact, since 2016, I've been pouring some of that creative energy into a travel blog, overhere.eu – documenting adventures and putting thoughts out into the world.
During my career break, even without the structure of a regular job, I found myself drawn back to creating. I'd squeeze in moments to write or tinker with designs. It was my way of staying connected to that part of myself.
Turning a Passion into Something More
Slowly, tentatively, a thought started to take shape.
What if this creative stuff, this content creation I enjoyed so much, could actually be part of my work?
What if it wasn't just a hobby or a side project?
I began exploring, learning more about the digital landscape, and realized that the sweet spot for me, where my creativity met a purpose, was marketing.
Finding My Feet (Unexpectedly!)
It wasn't a sudden lightning bolt moment, more like gradually piecing together a puzzle. I started thinking about how I could use these skills professionally.
Life has a funny way of working things out sometimes. I was catching up with a friend, telling her about my career break and how I was feeling the itch to get back into some kind of work, ideally something flexible and remote.
Completely by chance, she mentioned needing help with marketing tasks for her business. Just like that, I landed a remote, part-time job as a virtual marketing assistant!
It felt almost too good to be true. I started creating various texts, writing blog posts, and managing business Pinterest accounts – tasks that genuinely combined my love for writing, visuals, and strategy.
The best part? It works perfectly for both of us. My friend is happy with the support, and I'm thrilled to be doing work I enjoy on my own terms.
Juggling and Growing
This accidental job was a huge confidence booster. It showed me that my skills were valuable and that flexible, remote work was possible, even after a break.
Around the same time, I also started focusing more on specific freelance projects, like developing Pinterest business profiles – diving deeper into that visual strategy side I enjoyed.
Two years later came another opportunity that felt like finding a unicorn: a part-time, remote role at a marketing creative agency.
Finding genuinely interesting, flexible work after a career break wasn't easy. There were plenty of dead ends and moments where I doubted if I'd find the right fit. But I kept putting myself out there, focusing on roles that felt aligned with my interests rather than just trying to tick boxes.
Around this period, I also took on the marketing responsibilities here at Goal Watch.
Suddenly, I wasn't just drifting anymore.
I was juggling – oh boy, was I juggling multiple roles and projects – but it felt completely different. It was busy, yes, but it was a good kind of busy. I was doing things I loved, learning heaps, and carving out a path that felt truly mine.
Why SMART Goals Weren't My Guide
Looking back, I can honestly say I didn't use the SMART method to get here. My journey wasn't specific or neatly time-bound. It definitely wasn't linear!
If I had tried to force my exploration into a SMART framework early on, I probably would have felt overwhelmed and given up.
- Specific? How could I be specific when I was still figuring out what I wanted? My goal was more like "find work that feels meaningful and uses my creative skills." Not very SMART, is it?
- Measurable? Success wasn't about hitting a certain salary or job title by X date. It was about how I felt. Was I engaged? Was I learning? Did I feel like I was contributing something valuable? Those feelings are hard to quantify.
- Achievable? Honestly, landing a remote, flexible marketing role after a career break sometimes felt unachievable. Setting it as a rigid goal might have felt intimidating. Instead, I focused on taking small, achievable steps in the right direction – learning a new skill, reaching out to a contact, applying for one interesting job.
- Relevant? This is where my internal compass came in. It had to feel relevant to me, to my core interests and values, not just relevant according to some external career ladder standard.
- Time-bound? Putting a strict deadline on finding my "dream setup" would have added unnecessary pressure. It happened when the right opportunities aligned with my readiness and persistence.
The SMART framework is logical, practical, and excellent for breaking down known objectives. But it's not always the best tool for discovering your path or finding work that genuinely inspires you.
Inspiration often comes from a different place – from curiosity, passion, and a willingness to explore without knowing the exact destination.
Finding Goals That Truly Inspire: Beyond the Formula
So, if not SMART, then what? How do you set career goals that actually make you want to jump out of bed in the morning (or, realistically, make you feel engaged after the coffee kicks in)?
Here are a few approaches that resonated more with my journey:
- Focus on Feelings and Values: Instead of asking "What job title do I want?", ask "How do I want to feel at work?". Energized? Creative? Connected? Calm? Challenged? Valued? Identify your core values (e.g., autonomy, creativity, helping others, learning) and look for work that aligns with them. Your feelings are powerful data points. My desire to feel creative and have flexibility guided my search far more than a specific job description.
- Embrace Exploration and Experimentation: Treat your career like a series of experiments. You don't have to have it all figured out. Try things! Take a short course, do a small freelance project in a new area, volunteer, talk to people in different fields. See what clicks. My Pinterest work started as an experiment, a way to test the waters of content marketing. Be willing to pivot based on what you learn.
- Set Directional Goals: Instead of a fixed destination ("Be Marketing Director in 5 years"), set a direction ("Move towards roles with more creative strategy and leadership"). This allows for flexibility and acknowledges that the path might twist and turn. Your aim is progress in a meaningful direction, not necessarily a predetermined endpoint.
- Connect to Your "Why": Why do you want to work in a particular field or role? What larger purpose does it serve for you? Is it about expressing creativity? Solving interesting problems? Making a difference? Helping people? When your goals are linked to a deeper sense of purpose, they become inherently more inspiring. My "why" involves using my creative skills to help businesses connect with their audience, and that keeps me motivated.
- Listen to Your Curiosity: What topics genuinely fascinate you? What skills do you want to learn, just for the sake of it? Following your curiosity can lead you down unexpected and rewarding paths. Don't dismiss something just because it doesn't fit a preconceived career plan.
The Reality: Juggling is Real, But Worth It
Now, let me be clear. Finding work I love hasn't magically made my life simple. It's definitely not all rainbows and perfectly curated Instagram moments.
Running a home, raising two young kids, managing work for the agency, growing Pinterest accounts, and handling marketing for Goal Watch... it's a lot. Some days feel like a chaotic whirlwind, powered by caffeine and sheer willpower (and I couldn't do all this without my husband, mother, and part-time nanny).
There are constant trade-offs, moments of feeling stretched thin, and the never-ending quest for that mythical work-life balance.
But here's the difference: the challenges feel worthwhile. The stress is balanced by genuine enjoyment and a sense of purpose.
I'm building something I care about, using skills I love, and have the flexibility I desperately needed. I wouldn't trade this beautiful, fulfilling chaos for a more "sensible" path that didn't light me up inside.
Find Your Own North Star
The SMART method has its place, but don't let it be the only tool in your career navigation kit. If you're feeling stuck, uninspired, or like you're just drifting, maybe it's time to look beyond the checkboxes.
Tune into your feelings and follow your curiosity. Your most inspiring career goals might not look perfectly "SMART," but they'll be the ones that guide you toward work that truly resonates.
It's a journey, often non-linear, and definitely unique to you. You don’t have to navigate it alone.
Join the Community!
Setting inspiring goals and navigating career transitions is easier when you have support.
If you're looking for a place to connect with others who are figuring things out, sharing experiences, and cheering each other on, come join one of the small, supportive communities on goalwatch.net! Let's figure out our paths together.
