Step 1: Write Down What You Don't Want Make a list of the items you know you don't want in your career in the first column. Think of at least 3 Step 2: Write Down What You Do Want Next, reverse the negative statement in the second column. "I don't want a boring job" becomes "I want a job that changes from day to day." The result is a list of goals. Step 3: Write Your Goal Statement SMART Make your final list specific using the SMART technique in the third column. You may want to define what you are saying prior to writing out a SMART list. In this case, what careers actually offer day-to-day change and challenges? This is where goal setting becomes subjective and personal. What one person calls change, another person might call mundane. List as many descriptive or defining terms as you can during this step to make your terminology meaningful for you. You can then rewrite the goal with more specificity. "I want a job that changes from day to day" becomes "I want a fast-paced career working in emergency medicine." Remember that vague goals get very little attention from your subconscious, and consequently not much happens. Step 1: What I Don't Want in My Step 2: Revise the Negative-What I Step 3: Write it SMART Career Do Want Example: I don't want a boring job. I want a job that changes day to day. I want a fast-paced career working in emergency medicine. I don't want feeling overwhelmed I want to be comfortable during work I don't want to come back stressed about work I don't want to be a follower I want to be a leader