Go about this stage in an orderly fashion as discussed below.

Do It!

Begin by doing what you have thought about. You can reach your goals only if you start to work toward them. For instance, if you have decided to change jobs, start looking for another job.

You may decide to network, so leave your hesitation aside and call your contacts. You may have made a step-by-step career plan. All you have to do is make sure that you tick off at least one item every day.

Review Your Progress

Every few days, check on the progress you have made. Have you achieved your goals? If not, find out why. Do remember, though, that everything is not under your control. Many times things that are beyond your control will have an effect on your plans. Do not be discouraged by this, but adjust your targets and move on.

Sometimes, trying too hard to get something can lead to burnout. When you feel exhausted, take a break for a few days. During this resting period, contemplate whether you need to change your approach. Then try again. You will definitely come back with more vigor and enthusiasm and will eventually get what you want.

If you still don't achieve a particular goal, go on to your next step. Come back to it at a later stage.

The Next Step

Order your steps by the week, doing one each day. This is best done every Sunday. Every morning, check your calendar to see the step assigned for the day. Then make a conscious effort to achieve it that day. At the end of the day, mark it as done or not done.

Short-term planning is an important component in long-term career planning. Every few months, evaluate and assess yourself. See where you stand in the larger framework of things that you have planned for yourself. Ask yourself whether you are satisfied with your progress or whether something is wrong.

Sometimes, even the best-laid plans fail. Don't be discouraged by this. If you are not going anywhere in your career, consider changing fields. Put together a new career program and work on implementing it.

Your career plan needs to be flexible to accommodate changes and allow for a few setbacks if necessary. Very rigid plans will only depress you by making you feel that you have failed.

You should make the plan; the plan should not make you. If one plan does not work, make another one, but don't give up. Winners are never quitters and quitters are never winners.