Setting career goals that prioritize your well-being

Hello there. Molweni bethuna:)

Last year I was reflecting deeply about my career goals because I was about to start a new job and had just realized my long-term career goal which was a career pivot. When I set career goals, I usually categorize my goals into short, medium and long term goals. For each category, I set a maximum of two goals just to ensure that I focus. For each goal, I then write down actionable steps. This approach has worked for me for many years but, lately, I have been reflecting on what I can do differently.

Two things came to mind. The first was considering my overall well-being when setting career goals and the second was calculating the cost of each goal. In many ways these two things are interrelated. Let me share my thoughts on both :

Considering overall well-being when setting goals

I’ve shared a high level summary of my approach to goal setting, and categorizing my goals always pushes me to think beyond where I am. In a way, I start with the end in mind. While this has worked, I’ve sometimes achieved career goals at the cost of my mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Through introspection, I’ve realized my approach hasn’t always been holistic.

For me, a holistic approach means considering my well-being when setting goals. This looks different for everyone, but it starts with being honest about where I am—mentally, emotionally, and physically—so I can set realistic timelines and strategies. In the past, I expected the same level of resilience and effort no matter the season I was in, which often led to burnout and unmet goals.

Sometimes, we set goals based on our best, most aspirational selves. While that ambition is great, without clarity and realism, it can set us up for failure.

Another helpful approach is not just envisioning the end goal but also considering how I want my life to feel once I achieve it. This has helped me to interrogate my goals more than I did in the past. I started applying this last year and it has helped me rethink and slightly alter my long-term goals in a way that supports the kind of life that I am trying to build. My goals are no longer just about achieving success but achieving success in a way that does not compromise my well-being and overall quality of life. This has then led to my second thought which is something that I was not actively doing before which is calculating the cost.

Calculating the cost

Simply put, calculating the cost means evaluating what it takes to achieve a goal. I’ve come to realize that, to some degree, every goal has a cost. This isn’t about dismissing hard work but rather understanding the impact of my choices before taking action.

Earlier in my career, I focused solely on getting the job done, often dealing with the consequences later—like my second visit to the doctor for burnout. While that level of intensity may have been justifiable at times, I wish I had better strategies in place so my success didn’t come at the expense of my well-being.

Some seasons of your career will demand more from you, and that’s reasonable for short-term goals. But for medium- and long-term success, constantly pushing beyond your limits isn’t sustainable. That’s why I now calculate the cost. Doing so has given me clarity on my career path, challenged my timelines and strategies, and reaffirmed what truly matters to me. I still strive for success—but not at the expense of my well-being, marriage and family.

Have you considered the cost of your dreams and aspirations?

I really want us to reflect on the importance of how our lives feel to us than what they look like to others. Yes, career success is important but how your career makes you feel is more important.

As you think about your own career journey, here are a few questions to reflect on:

• What areas of your life feel neglected in pursuit of your career goals?

• When you imagine your ideal career, how do you want to feel—not just what you want to achieve?

• Have you ever pursued a goal that looked good on paper but didn’t feel right in your body or spirit? What did that teach you?

• What boundaries could help you protect your mental, emotional, and physical health as you grow professionally?

Lots of love : Zizo