我们都知道每个人生阶段，我们对自己的工作要求是不一样的。比如刚刚走出校门的大学生，他们可能是先就业后择业，但是对于有丰富的工作经验的职场人士来说，可能希望自己的事业有所突破。那么如何给自己的职业制定目标呢？

* Story Highlights

故事提要

* In your 20s, focus on exploring options and building a good work record.

20来岁的时候应多尝试、建立良好的工作记录。

* Leadership and management skills become important in your 30s.

到30来岁，领导力和管理能力变得很重要。

* In your 40s, examine work-life balance; focus on the future in the next decade.

在40来岁，检查你的工作-生活平衡；关注接下来的十年。

Each decade of life brings a new set of challenges as working professionals move into different phases of both their careers and personal lives.

每个十年都会给职场人士带来全新的挑战，他们也随着时间的推移进入到不同的工作和生活阶段。

Entering a new decade of life can be a perfect time to take stock of one's situation, reevaluate priorities and set career goals for the years ahead.

进入新的十年是盘点个人状况、确立优先事物和设定今后目标的一次良机。

Setting goals makes people "feel more in control of their destiny, which in turn makes for positive feelings and a sense of purpose," says Laura Berman Fortgang, a pioneer in the life coaching field and the author of several bestselling books, including "Take Yourself to the Top."

Laura Berman Fortgang说，定目标让人们感到“更能控制命运，从而带来积极感受和目标感”。Laura Berman Fortgang是生活辅导领域的先驱，出版了几本畅销书，包括《让自己登上顶峰》。

Nevertheless, Fortgang cautions that people should remain flexible in their goals:"Being too tethered to one specific outcome can jeopardize one's ability to recognize other opportunities when they become available."

不过Fortgang告诫人们应该灵活对待目标：“过于执着于实现目标，会损害人们发现其它机会的能力。”

In your 20s: Establish a positive work record 20来岁：建立良好的工作记录

Relax -- you don't need to know exactly what you're going to do with your life just yet. It makes sense to explore your options at this early stage of your working life, as long as you build skills and make contacts along the way.

放轻松，这个阶段你不必知道这辈子该怎么过。在职业生涯的早期阶段，你应该尝试不同的选择，同时学习技能、建立人际关系网。

"Deciding what to do long-term is more organic than most people think," Fortgang says, adding that what is essential during this decade is to establish a good work record.

Fortgang说:“树立长期目标要比多数人想象的来得自然。”并补充说，在这十年建立一个好的工作记录是很关键的。

"The people you work with ... in your early years could become life-long supporters, mentors and references for years to come. So building a good reputation is important even if you don't see yourself sticking in your current job for long."

“早年和你一起工作的人可能成为今后一生中的支持者、导师、推选人。所以建立一个好名声是重要的，即便你认为自己不会在现在的公司呆太久。”

In your 30s: Focus on becoming a leader 30来岁：关注领导岗位

People often enter their first management positions in their 30s, and the "switch from being a worker-bee to a leader-in-training ... requires a change in mindset," Fortgang asserts.

人们往往在30来岁第一次走上领导岗位，“从‘士兵’到‘实习将领’的角色转换...需要一个思想转变。” Fortgang说。

"The goal here," Fortang says, "is to get recognized for all you have done, and parlay that into a more focused path." Document your accomplishments so that when it comes time for annual reviews, you have proof of your hard work and leadership experience (or potential).

“这时候的目标是让你的一切业绩得到认可，然后把这些业绩集中到一条更细分的发展道路上。”记录下你的业绩，在年末评估时就能证明你努力工作并具有领导经验（或潜力）。

In your 40s: Re-examine your definition of success 40来岁：重新审视你对成功的定义

In this decade, people get very serious about their earning power and set their sights on top roles that could potentially be theirs now or in the next decade, Fortang reveals.

Fortang说，在这个十年，人们很看重“赚钱能力”，而且向最高职位冲刺，他们有可能很快或在将来十年内晋升到最高职位。

"This is also the time of mid-life crises," Fortgang warns, which often result in people questioning their careers.

Fortang提醒人们“这也是中年危机的时候”，这往往导致人们对职业产生质疑。

This decade is a good time to take stock of the direction your career path is headed and to evaluate your work-life balance.

这时期也可以用来审视职业道路发展方向和评估生活-工作平衡。

What will make you feel successful? Occupying a high-level position within your company or field? Reaching your full earning potential? Having the flexibility to spend more time with your family? Retiring early?

什么让你感到成功？是在某个领域或公司位居高位？是最大化自己的赚钱潜力？还是拥有更多可支配时间来和家人呆在一起？还是提前退休？

Re-examine your definition of success and adjust your career path accordingly.

重新审视自己的对成功的定义，并对职业道路做出相应的调整。