Identify Your Constraints

We all have barriers and obstacles that stand in the way of achieving our career goals. Once you have identified these, you can try to figure out how to overcome them. So let’s think about yours.

Constraints fall into a number of broad areas. Think about the following areas in turn and try to analyze your personal situation.

• Skills. Do you have the skills you need?
• Experience. Do you have the right work experience? Do you have the right number of years of experience on your CV? Are there qualifications that you might need?
• Family. What are the needs of your spouse or ‘significant other’? What do your family and any children need from you?
• Finances. Do you need to pay for further education or training to achieve your goals? How will you afford it?
• Location. Are you tied to a particular geographical location?
• Physical health. Are you in good health? Do you have the energy to pursue your goals? Or do you have any illnesses or physical conditions that you need to factor into the equation?

What other constraints are getting in the way of you achieving your career aspirations?

Now look at your constraints.

• Which ones can you do something about? And what can you do about tackling them in order to achieve your career goals?
• Which constraints can you not change? If you honestly think that you can’t change them, do you perhaps need to change your career goals at all?