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Establish Your Goals

Work smarter, not harder, to make the most of your career potential. Take this quiz to see how your habits rank.

(Taken from Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine, January 2002 issue with permission. Original quiz by Valerie Sokolosky, an author and keynote speaker based in Dallas. Visit her website at www.valerieandcompany.com)


1. Accelerate your career progress by:
a) Deciding to improve your performance.
b) Setting short-term goals.
c) Mapping out a 12-month plan
d) Mapping out a 10-year plan.

2. Your plans for improvement could include changing employers or job functions, so consider first:
a) What you really want to do.
b) What you need to do.
c) What opportunities seem open to you.
d) What everyone else says you should do.

3. In an ever-changing work environment, get rid of:
a) Old habits.
b) Nonessentials.
c) Too much paperwork.
d) What you don't want others to see.

4. Recognize that the number-one success factor lies in:
a) People skills.
b) Technical skills.
c) Organizational skills.
d) Proper clothes, as in "Dress for Success".

5. In creating new business strategies, find ways to:
a) Accomplish tasks faster.
b) Be more thorough.
c) Accomplish tasks in a different way.
d) Make sure you are the one getting proper credit.

6. While reviewing your progress:
a) Reward yourself for your achievements.
b) Compare your progress with that of your peers.
c) Find ways to measure your progress factually.
d) Discipline yourself for your failures.

7. One goal everyone should achieve is:
a) Improve a skill.
b) Read more business publications.
c) Exercise regularly.
d) Getting certificates and diplomas.

8. As you seek to improve performance:
a) Learn to relax.
b) Set new and higher targets.
c) Take more risks.
d) Work on your weakest areas first.

9. After reaching your goals, try this to enhance self-confidence:
a) Critique your failures.
b) Build on your success.
c) Recognize your talents.
d) Don't stop, immediately set another, higher, more challenging goal.

10. One way to generate the energy and determination it takes to succeed is to:
a) Write out a list of your goals.
b) Have a support system to encourage you..
c) Seek a mentor to help move your career forward.
d) Focus, focus and more focus on becoming great!