Mrs Isoken Sonia Okoh, the CEO of SO Coaching Consulting Services Limited, a renowned UK-based
Senior Programme Consultant, Certified Career coach and mentor. With decades of experience under her belt, Isoken shares valuable insights on why career goals are crucial to personal success for career professionals.
In this interview with Demola Akinbola, Publisher of The Podium International Magazine, she offered profound ideas on career success in the 21st Century and beyond. Excerpts …
Why do you think career goals are so important for someone’s professional journey?
Honestly, without career goals, you are just drifting along. When you set goals, you are giving yourself a roadmap and every decision you make has a purpose. You know where you are going, and that makes everything feel more meaningful. It is the difference between just working and actually working towards something that matters to you.
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How do career goals affect motivation?
Goals give you that extra push, especially when you hit a rough patch. When you know what you are working towards, even the tough days don’t feel as bad because you can see the bigger picture. You are not just doing tasks for the sake of it, you are doing them to get closer to something vital. It keeps you going, gives you that fire to keep pushing through, because each little step means you are getting closer to your goal.
Awesome. How would you say career goals help someone stay focused and make better decisions?
Having career goals keeps you on track. Instead of saying yes to every opportunity that comes your way, you can look at things more strategically. You start thinking, “Does this fit into what I want for myself?” It helps you avoid distractions and focus on what is actually going to help you reach your goals. You should be focused and intentional with your time and energy.
How do career goals create accountability?
Goals keep you in check. When you have specific milestones in mind, you can actually measure how far you have come. Have little checkpoints along the way to see if you are still on the right track gives you something to look back on and say, “Okay, I have done this, and now I need to do that.” It makes it harder to get lazy or lose focus because you are constantly checking in with yourself. Also ,don’t forget to celebrate any achievement, no matter how small.
Absolutely. What role does ambition play in setting career goals?
Firstly, ambition is what gets the ball rolling. It is that feeling that you want something more for yourself, that you want to push beyond where you are right now. Ambition helps you dream big, and those big dreams eventually turn into your career goals. Your inner fuel motivates you to take on new challenges and reach for more than what feels comfortable.
From your experience, how should someone go about setting career goals?
The SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timebound) method works wonders. Your goals need to be specific, so they are clear and easy for you to understand, not vague like “I want to be successful.” They should be Measurable, you need to track your progress. They should be Achievable because you don’t want to set yourself up for failure. Relevant means they need to actually matter to your bigger vision, and Time bound means there is a deadline or timeframe, so you don’t keep putting it off.
Hmmm… How does breaking down long-term goals into smaller chunks make a difference?
Breaking things down makes everything less overwhelming. If your goal is something big, for instance getting a promotion or switching careers, it can feel intimidating. But when you break it into smaller steps, like learning a new skill, registering for training courses or building a support network, it is much easier to manage, and you achieve little wins along the way, which keeps you motivated and reminds you that you are making progress.
Why is continuous learning so important for career growth?
Things change so fast these days, especially with technology and new trends popping up all the time. If you are not constantly learning, you risk falling behind. Staying updated on new skills, tools and knowledge is what keeps you relevant and competitive. In addition, it opens up new doors that you would not have access to if you were stuck with just your old skill set.
How important is adaptability when it comes to achieving career goals?
Being adaptable is everything because things rarely go exactly as planned. Life throws curveballs, jobs change, industries evolve, and new opportunities come up. If you are too rigid, you will miss out definitely. However if you are open to adjusting your path, you can turn unexpected situations into new chances to grow. Adaptability lets you roll with the punches and still keep moving toward your goals, even if the path looks different than you thought.
What is the role of a support network in reaching career goals?
You can’t do it all alone. Having mentors, colleagues, and friends to support you makes a huge difference. They give you advice, help you see things from a different perspective, and hold you accountable. Your network opens doors you would not even know about. Sometimes it is as simple as knowing the right person at the right time. It is important to surround yourself with people who lift you up and challenge you to do better.
What should someone do when they hit obstacles in their career path?
Obstacles are just part of the game. When you hit one, it is all about how you bounce back. Take a step back, figure out what went wrong, and adjust your approach. Maybe you need to learn something new or tweak your strategy. Just DON’T GIVE UP. Use those setbacks as lessons. It is not about avoiding obstacles, it is about learning how to deal with them and keep moving forward.
How would you sum up the importance of taking control of your career and setting goals?
At the end of the day, your career is yours to shape. Setting goals gives you the power to take control of your future.
You must be intentional and proactive. When you set clear goals, you are not just floating, you are steering the ship. Yes things might change along the way, but as long as you keep moving forward, you will get to where you want to be. You just have to be willing to put in the work and stay focused on what matters to you.
When i made a clear decision to pursue a career in project management, I reached out to my network immediately to find the best starting point. It wasn’t an easy journey and absolutely no regrets. I still remember the late night training sessions I attended while trying to settle my youngest child for the night, who was just a baby at the time. Happy to say my unwavering determination has brought me exactly where I want to be today.
Read more career development insights from Isoken.
