What’s Holding You Back? The Real Power of Career Planning

Hi, I’m Ryan Brooks—career coach, income strategist, and your personal hype guy when it comes to building a career that actually works for your life. I’ve coached hundreds of professionals through pivots, promotions, and pay bumps, but one thing never changes: the people who thrive are the ones who set goals on purpose. Not just big dreams, but goals that are grounded, doable, and yes, sometimes scary (but in a good way).

So if you’re stuck, stalled, or just not sure what’s next, I wrote this for you. Let’s break down what career goal setting really looks like—no jargon, no fluff, just real-deal strategy with a human touch.

Why Career Goals Actually Matter (Like, a Lot)

Here’s a little story: When I was in my late 20s, I thought I had my dream job. Great salary, cool title, all the checkboxes ticked. But something felt off. I wasn’t growing. I was busy, but not fulfilled. That’s when I realized I had no direction. I was reacting to my career, not driving it.

Setting clear career goals flipped everything. Suddenly, I had a compass. I knew what to say yes to, what to stop wasting time on, and how to track progress without spiraling. Goals give your career purpose. They help you:

• Focus your energy (no more job-hopping just because)
• Make decisions faster (and smarter)
• Stay motivated when work gets hard (because it will)

Even if your goals evolve, having them in place puts you in the driver’s seat.

Get Clear on What You Actually Want

Before you start setting goals, take a beat. What do you really want out of your career? Not what your LinkedIn feed says. Not what your parents expect. What lights you up?

When I work with clients, I ask them three core questions:

1. "What work makes you feel alive, useful, or in flow?"
2. "What kind of life do you want your career to support?"
3. "What do you not want to repeat from past jobs?"

These questions changed the game for me personally, too. I realized I didn’t want to climb a corporate ladder—I wanted to build bridges for others. That’s when I transitioned into coaching.

Think of this as career therapy. Journal it. Talk it out with a friend. Be honest. You can't set a meaningful goal if you don't know what you're aiming for.

Set SMART Goals That Don’t Suck

Let’s talk results for a second. According to Michigan State University Extension, a study found that 76% of participants who wrote down their goals, committed to action steps, and provided weekly progress updates to a friend successfully achieved their goals. This was 33% higher than those with unwritten goals. I’ve seen that same pattern play out with dozens of clients (and yep, in my own life too).

Now let’s get tactical. You’ve probably heard of SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. They’re popular for a reason—they keep you from setting goals like "get better at work" or "make more money."

Here’s how to break it down:

• Specific: "Negotiate a raise" > "make more money."
• Measurable: You know when you’ve hit the goal (e.g. a $10k salary bump).
• Achievable: Stretching is good. Impossible is not.
• Relevant: Tied to your bigger career/life picture.
• Time-bound: Deadlines = accountability.

Example: "I want to complete a project management certification by December so I can apply for mid-level roles by January."

That’s way more powerful than "I should learn something this year."

Build a Game Plan That Works for You

Here’s where most people fall off: They set a great goal, then leave it floating in the air like a balloon. What you need is an action plan:

Let me show you how I help clients turn goals into motion:

1. Break the goal into mini-milestones. Think: research programs, sign up, create study schedule.
2. Assign deadlines. Put them on your calendar (not just your mental wishlist).
3. Identify what you need. Time, money, tools, support—list it all.
4. Expect resistance. Plan for off days. Life will life.

One client of mine wanted to transition into UX design. Her roadmap included a bootcamp, portfolio-building, mock interviews, and networking. It took 10 months—but she landed her dream job. Her success wasn’t luck. It was a plan.

The Motivation Rollercoaster Is Real—Here’s How to Ride It

Let’s be real: Career growth isn’t linear. You’ll have setbacks. You’ll feel behind. That’s normal.

What helped me (and my clients) the most?

• Progress tracking: I keep a "done list" to remind myself how far I’ve come.
• Celebrate tiny wins: Every interview, every scary email sent—they count.
• Mentor check-ins: Find your career hype squad.
• Revisit your why often: When you forget your reason, everything feels pointless.

“Career growth is a wild ride—hold on tight, celebrate every twist, and keep your hype squad close!”

Burnout or doubt doesn’t mean you’re off track. It means you’re human.

Recalibrate When Life Changes (Because It Will)

Your dream job today might not be your dream job next year. That’s okay. Careers evolve. So should your goals.

Every quarter, I ask myself:

• Am I still excited about this path?
• What’s changed in my life, values, or priorities?
• What did I learn from the past 3 months?

Last year, I thought I wanted to scale my coaching business fast. Then I had a health scare and realized I craved more balance. So I shifted focus to fewer clients, more impact.

Give yourself permission to pivot. Real growth is flexible.

Wallet Reads!

1. Define Before You Climb: Get clear on what success looks like for you, not your feed.
2. Make It SMART: Turn your "someday" goals into real-deal plans.
3. Map It Out: Break big goals into bite-sized moves with deadlines.
4. Feel the Feels: Motivation dips are normal—plan for them.
5. Flex as You Grow: Adjust your goals when life (or you) shifts.
6. Celebrate Along the Way: You’re not just chasing a title—you’re building a life that fits.

Your Career, Your Rules!

At the end of the day, you get to define success. Not your boss. Not your peers. You.

Whether you want to climb the ladder, build your own thing, or craft a career that lets you pick up your kids by 3pm, own it.

Setting goals isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional.

So grab a notebook, make your first move, and remember: You don’t have to do this alone. I’m cheering you on.