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Col. Lorn Heyne, 65th Medical Group commander, Lajes Field.
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Strategic Planning for Your Career
Posted 9/6/2012 Updated 9/6/2012
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Commentary by Col Lorn Heyne
65th Medical Group commander
9/6/2012 - LAJES FIELD, Azores -- Nearly every organization I have been a part of for the last 20 years have included duties relating to developing an organization strategic plan. Typically, strategic planning is accomplished in ranges from three to five years out and five years and beyond. One to three years would be tactical planning or planning for the immediate future. It has been my experience that strategic plans have been developed in size from a few pages to many pages long, outlining broad objectives to very detailed goals to be accomplished.
I'm sure you don't think I am writing this article to discuss strategic planning of the medical group and you would be correct. This article really deals with Career Planning. Developing a "Career Plan" is merely strategic planning for the individual.
Many times people will do career planning without even recognizing it. For instance, it was 32 years ago as an Airman First Class, when I realized what I wanted to be when I grew up. Did I think at that time it was formulating my career plan? No, but that is really what it was. I set a long range objective (to make colonel) and milestones to get there (goals). I first started with completing my CCAF, then Bachelors degree, and so on until reaching my overall objective.
I would like to encourage you to develop a Career Plan. When you put words on paper, they somehow feel more real and you have a tendency to have more ownership. This process is rather simple and there are various methods to use. Many books and software products have been developed to help get you started, but let me mention a few keys to accomplish your career plan.*
The right attitude. As with most of life's challenges, your attitude will determine success or failure. Know that a positive attitude is a very powerful force in accomplishing you goals and conversely, a negative attitude is destructive to your ability to succeed.
Set goals. People with goals succeed. Make your goals meaningful and personal (ownership), otherwise you won't be inspired or motivated to achieve them. Set your goals incrementally and attainable, eat the elephant one bite at a time. Your goals will change as your life progresses; goal setting has to be dynamic and fluid to achieve success.
Take action. Obviously, there is no point to READY and AIM if there is no FIRE. Very few people, if any, are capable of achieving their goals while sitting on their derriere. If your goals are your target destination, then action plans are your GPS to success.
Although I have managed to see my goals to this point realized (with the help of my wife) without a written plan, don't take the gamble. Some of you may have a family or will have a family in the future; they will be integral to your career decisions. If not your family, find a mentor or partner to help you develop a plan and stay motivated to the end. Remember that your "career" encompasses more of your time than any other thing you will do. Make this time count, find joy in your career and take pleasure in life.
*Sam Sander "achieve-goal-setting-success.com" on-line, 2007-2010.
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