goal setting for engineers

How To Write SMART Goals, Courtesy of a Moose

January 11, 2021 By EMI

This is a guest blog by Pamela A. Scott

Several years ago, we took a family vacation to Maine. Being a savvy professional, I set official goals for the trip. I wrote them down, of course. Goals aren’t real unless you write them down.

I shared my written goals with a peer group. I even wrote them down in the visitors’ registration book at a Maine information center.

“Goals for Maine trip: to get a green tourmaline ring and to see a moose.”

Before I tell you what happened, let’s look at how to set goals using the SMART method, a tried-and-true model for goal setting. And very fitting for this time of year.

Identify Your SMART Goals

TECC 187: Goal Setting for Engineers Based on One Engineer’s Proven Process

October 16, 2018 By EMI

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In this episode, I talk with Adam Zach, PE, a project engineer at an environmental engineering firm in Grand Forks, North Dakota. We talk about the importance of goal setting for engineers and how setting goals has greatly contributed to his success in his career, but even better Adam shares his process in this episode, so you can use it too!

Engineering Quotes:

Here are some of the key points discussed about goal setting for engineers:

It Only Takes One Goal to Change Everything in Your Engineering Career

January 8, 2014 By EMI

As we gear up for a wonderful 2014, I wish you the absolute best in achieving the loftiest of goals. While many people talk about goal setting this time of year, there is one thing that must be considered when you go through the goal setting process: the impact a goal will have on your career and life when you achieve it.

It Only Takes One Goal

The other day, I was in the car listening to the radio and it was a countdown of the top songs of the year. When it was time for song #1, the DJ explained that the song was by a group who, after this song went to the top of the charts, soon had three other #1 hits. He said, “One song changed everything for these guys.” That statement really made me think about how their success is analogous to all of our careers. I know in my career, when I published my book Engineer Your Own Success, it was a career- and life-changing event in many ways. I wanted to write about this today because I think it is a great way for us to focus on the bigger picture when setting and pursuing goals. If you are setting or have recently set goals for yourself, think about those goals for a second. Think about the impacts that each goal is going to have on your career and life when you achieve it. Do you notice that some goals will have much more impact than others? These are the goals you should really focus your energy on. While this may sound obvious, it’s very easy to get distracted and spend time and energy on goals that aren’t as powerful.

The Domino Effect

I read and listen often to Michael Hyatt, who has a great approach when it comes to goals, and I heard him say something that explains this best. He said to pursue goals which, when achieved, will have a domino effect in your life. When you achieve the goal, many other things will start to happen because of that achievement. I urge you to set goals that will create that domino effect in your engineering career and life. For example, let’s say that you have a goal of obtaining your Professional Engineering (PE) license. What might some of the effects of achieving this goal be? [Read more…] about It Only Takes One Goal to Change Everything in Your Engineering Career