When you’re very clear on what you want, your chances of finding it are significantly increased…

Identify what is important to you in a job/ career.  Make 3 columns on a sheet of paper.  Label the first column ‘Things I Love’ and list all the things you love about your job.  Some things might be flexible hours, travel, no direct supervision, great boss, location, stable paycheck, etc.

Label the second column ‘Things I Hate’ and list everything you hate about your job.  These might include long hours, changing schedules, lack of rewards, lack of leadership, travel, location, etc.

When you have completed your lists, go back over them and circle the top 2-3 items on the ‘Things I Love’ list that are important to you to carry into your future.

On the ‘Things I Hate’ list circle the top 2-3 items you do not want to have to tolerate in the future and would just as soon leave behind forever.

In the third column, list all the things that are important to your choice of job/ career.  These are things like a certain salary level, location, health or dental insurance, profit sharing, 401K Plan, paid sick and personal leave, number of leave days per year, advancement opportunities, type of work, child care, professional association dues paid, relocation allowance, expense account, education tuition benefits, etc.

List everything that’s important to you, then go back and number them in order of importance, 1= most important.  For example, if salary is the most important thing to you, number it 1.  If location is the next most important thing to you, number it 2, and so on. Continue numbering everything on your list.  Finally, circle items numbered 1, 2 and 3.

Use this list of priorities to help you choose a job/ career/ or business to pursue.  Refer to it also when negotiating an offer!

This is part of a complete step-by-step military retirement checklist. I’ll be posting weekly action steps here, so please subscribe over in the right-hand column so you’re sure to get each update.