A concise and clear plan forces you to choose priorities, keeps your actions concrete and makes follow-up easy. It prevents procrastination and makes it easier to share the plan with a coach or manager.
Start with self-reflection
- Strengths: list 3 skills you rely on.
- Improvements: 2 concrete growth points.
- What gives energy (task/environment): list 1-2 factors.
- Most important recent achievement (last 12 months).
This short reflection will help you plan realistically and choose your learning direction - a key idea within lifelong learning.
Formulate clear goals
- 12-month goal: ambitious but achievable (e.g. "permanent contract as warehouse manager" or "certificate X and min €X net added").
- 3-month goal: concrete intermediate goals that motivate you and are measurable. <By translating goals into short-term gains, you keep momentum and see progress quickly.
What skills do you need to do this?
- Choose up to 2 skills to develop this quarter.
- Choose learning formats: micro-courses, on-the-job learning, short workshops or volunteer projects - learning does not always have to be through a diploma, it is about applicable skills.
- Plan: which course/resource and when (e.g. "month 1: e-learning X; month 2: practical assignment").
Concrete actions & timing
- Weekly tasks (repeatable): e.g. 3 job applications per week, 1 networking message, 2 hours of training.
- Monthly milestones: e.g. "month 1 micro-course completed", "month 2 practical assignment completed".
- Accountability: with whom do you discuss progress? A colleague, mentor or TRIXXO coach.
Network and application strategy
- Update LinkedIn and mention concrete availability; actively use your network - personal contact remains powerful.
- Plan 2 networking actions per month (message, coffee, event participation). This significantly increases opportunities.
Meeting points & review
- KPIs (measurable): number of applications, courses completed, job interviews, new connections.
- Review moments: brief check every 2 weeks; deeper review every 3 months.
- Adjust where necessary: small adjustments keep plan realistic and motivating.
One-page career plan (template — fill in)
- Name & current position
- 12-month goal (SMART)
- 3-month goals (2-3 concrete results)
- Top 3 skills to develop
- Concrete learning actions (course/practice/timeframe)
- Network actions (who, what, when)
- Weekly routine (actions per week)
- Most important obstacle + plan B
- Accountability partner + review date
How to use this in real life
- Print or save digitally and place at the top of your to-do or in your diary.
- Make reviews short and concrete: note what works and what doesn't - this keeps learning practical and focused.
- Share the plan with one person who you talk to about progress; this increases your chances of following through.