Are you wishing you could find a new job or start your own business or drop ten pounds? Don't waste your time wishing for what you want set a concrete goal. Preferably, a S.M.A.R.T. goal. But, to be successful you also need commitment, accountability and a little help from your friends.

Whatever you want to do you'll have a better chance for success if you begin with a S.M.A.R.T. goal. The next step is to develop a written plan with short-term goals and daily activities to keep you on track. It's a simple step-by-step process which can be adapted to anything you want to accomplish.

Finding that "dream job" can be elusive. Before you begin pursuing your "dream" career make sure that you know what makes it so. It's important to know what you really want before you can decide where you want to go.

Many people think of assessments as career-planning tools but they can also be used to help you choose a college major or recognize and adjust your conflict resolution style. Our career assessment matrix will help you choose the right one for you.

While most people think of assessments like The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) as career-planning tools, understanding Type can help you become a better communicator. Type theory is based on observations by Swiss psychologist Carl Jung and the instrument's authors, Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother Katherine Cook Briggs. The goal of the mother-daughter team was to...

Choosing a career is a big decision. A decision that should involve more than thumbing through a book or newspaper and picking a job that sounds kind of interesting. While your next job will probably not be your last job, you will be spending many hours each week at the office.

Do you love your job? Do you even like it? Or do you find your work about as interesting as spending eight hours a day watching paint dry? Unfortunately, many people don't enjoy their work. What's worse is that they have no expectation that they should

It's surprising how many people don't consider their interests when they're looking for a job. Many of us stumble into a job and stay there for years, even though we don't particularly like it. Others move aimlessly from job to job, continually searching for one that feels right.

Recognizing your skills is an essential part of every job search. Being able to effectively communicate these skills to a potential employer is equally important. Yet, many people have difficulty with both. Countless job-seekers, particularly women, often underestimate their skills. This leads to undervaluing themselves in the job market.

Ok, you're ready to start your skills assessment. Begin by making a list of your skills. Write down everything you are good at. Use this list to decide which skills you're best at and which you want to use in your next position

Another way to get a picture of yourself is to take a good look at those traits that make you who you are. Read through the following checklist. Mark all the traits you feel describe you. (Mentally add any that are not listed.) Whittle your choices down to the ten traits that are most like you.

Choosing a job is a complex process with many variables. It can be daunting and you may feel overwhelmed. But it is too important to leave to chance. Gauge how prepared you are by answering the following questions...

What is your vision of success? The image is different for each of us. For one person it's having the corner office, for another it's having a flexible schedule with plenty of time off to be with their kids. But, whatever your dream, setting SMART goals will help you make it come true.

Did you see the movie Julie & Julia? Julie Powell project is a perfect example of a SMART goal in action

While many people think of assessments as career-planning tools they have a variety of uses. The Strong Interest Inventory® can also be used to help you get ahead in your current career or choose your college major. The TKI® can help you recognize and adjust your conflict resolution styles.

Just thinking about changing careers can be overwhelming. Depending on which path you choose, it can be a daunting task. But, when you combine a little creative thinking with some strategic planning, making a change is much more doable.

Our lives are full of decisions. Where shall we go for lunch? What movie shall we see this weekend? Which job should we take? Should we go back to school? Or start our own business? And the list goes on.

You already know what you want to do. So why take the time to do some Informational Interviews? Because many jobs will turn out to be much different than you think.