How I reviewed my 2020 career goals (without feeling like crap)

Image via Skitterphoto

I think we can all agree that this year has been a bonafide shitshow of fucktastic proportions.

All those lovely career goals we set at the end of last year now feel laughable, naive, and unreachable. Might as well toss 2020 onto the scrap heap, eh?

Not today, Satan!

I’m a sunny optimist at heart (don’t tell the other goths) and I’m determined not to lose an entire year to the pandemic. You’re not going to lose yours, either.

Let’s pick through the gubbins of the year together and see how we can reframe shit. Because I can guarantee you’ve grown in ways you may not even realise yet…

1) Review your original 2020 career goals

A sensible place to start because — hell — you might’ve hit one or two. Just remember to go into your goal review with kindness. Don’t be a dick to past you, they didn’t know the world would go to shit.

Here in Cown-Town, I set a range of goals to give the illusion of progress. A mix of simple chores, new habits, and punchy goals.

I wanted new bookkeeping software for 2020 but kept putting it off because…effort. Luckily for me, the pandemic gave me a lot of extra time.

That’s not the only thing I did with my (unwanted) abundance of free time. I used it to achieve my goal of pitching clients in a new industry and managed to score the journalism gigs I wanted.

So there were a few diamonds in the dirt, after all. I bet it’s the same for you.

2) Review your pandemic business goals

After the shit hit the fan, quite a few of us freelance folk needed to reassess our business plans. That meant setting new goals.

I went back and looked at the action plan I put in place for myself in April and assessed whether it had been effective. Did I manage to claw back some revenue? Did I use the time to swot up on training? Work on my own stuff? Did I rest?

Those summer months feel hazy and weirdly distant, but I can tell you that I did my best with the goals I set. Sometimes, that’s enough!

3) Widen the scope

Try this idea on for size: not all your career goals will be things you set for yourself. Don’t forget to cast your net out and catch all those organic achievements.

Maybe you started a podcast? Perhaps you were invited to guest on one? Did you host a Twitter chat or get interviewed for a blog post? Maybe you completed a ridiculously tricky project?

Look at the bigger picture and I bet you’ll find something cool to celebrate.

4) Collect points for getting through the damn year

Everyone gets bonus points for making it through the fucking year. We’ve earned them, damnit!

It’s still worth setting business goals for 2021 but remember to be nice to yourself. Set challenges that are specific, actionable, and achievable in 12 months. No pressure! Let’s just be cool and see what we can get done with what we have, eh?

You will surprise yourself.