Taking the time to set some long-term career objectives is a good way to give yourself some direction, and uncover clues as to what you need to do right now to reach your goals. To choose the best long-term career objectives, you will want to consider a variety of factors, chief among them whether you are happy in your current field, or want to make a career switch. Making an honest assessment of your existing strengths and weaknesses is another good way to identify areas for work or improvement. In addition, consider your goals, what you hope to achieve in your career, and what you find fun and interesting about your job.
One of the best places to begin when you are setting long-term career objectives is by considering what you do for fun, and the work you would willingly do for free. Even though it may seem outlandish or impossible to make money doing what you love, it may not be impossible, and brainstorming like this can be a good way to begin. If you are just starting out, it is a good way to figure out the education you need to get and the types of education you need to pursue.
As you move forward and continue to set your long-term career objectives, always think about your strengths and weaknesses. In some cases, you may be able to make changes or improvements, but in others it will be in your best interest to take them into honest account. For example, if what you enjoy most about your job is working behind the scenes, being creative, and working independently, then perhaps striving for a leadership or managerial role is just not in your best interest. Considering these, and other practical factors like the security of your job, will help you to set long-term career objectives that will be monetarily beneficial as well as personally fulfilling.
In addition, as you are developing your long-term career objectives, it is a good idea to make them specific. Vague goals may seem inspiring, but they might actually do the opposite if they become too difficult to figure out how to actually reach. You should be able to break your long-term goals down into a series of smaller, achievable goals to keep you on the right track. Some people find it helpful to discuss their career objectives with a mentor, manager, or even just a trusted friend to help fully develop them.