Sheryl Barden, CAM, is CEO of Aviation Personnel&nbsp;International, the longest-running recruiting and HR consulting firm&nbsp;exclusively serving business aviation. A thought leader on all things&nbsp;related to business aviation professionals, Barden is an NBAA CAM Fellow&nbsp;and formerly served on NBAA’s board of directors and its advisory council.

AIN Contributor

Sheryl Barden

The end of the year feels like the closing chapter of a story. It’s the perfect time to reflect on the past and plan your future.
Yet, the process of goal setting can feel daunting.
One of my favorite exercises, inspired by the Strategic Coach program, is this: Picture yourself three years from now. You’re sitting in a favorite spot, feeling fulfilled and successful. Where are you? What’s changed in your personal and professional life?
Now, rewind the story. How did you get to that place? What decisions, actions or growth got you there? This simple mental exercise transforms your aspirations into actionable steps. And, to bring some accountability into the picture, make sure to document them for future reference.
Imagine you’re an aspiring aviation leader and you want the Director of Aviation job when it opens in three years. Instead of waiting for the opportunity, you create a proactive plan. You volunteer for new responsibilities and take a finance course. You also ask to lead a major presentation to senior leadership. Additionally, you assist with a multi-million-dollar negotiation. That way, by the time the role becomes available, you’re not just ready—you’re the obvious choice.
Examples like this remind us that the end of the year isn’t just about reflection. It’s about choosing how we’ll write the next chapter.
<h2>Reverse-Engineering Your Success</h2>
Now let’s flip the script. Say you’re the Director preparing to retire in three years. What steps need to happen to make that dream a reality?
You might start by building a succession plan. Collaborate with a recruiter or HR partner to identify and mentor candidates for your role. On the personal side, you could meet with a financial advisor to ensure your retirement plan is solid. Maybe you update your estate plan or review your insurance policies with your attorney.
Think about how you’ll spend your time post-retirement. Do you want to travel, purchase a vacation home, or start a passion project? Perhaps you want to serve on an advisory board or volunteer with a nonprofit.
Once you’ve outlined your vision, break it into manageable tasks. For example, plan quarterly check-ins with your successor candidates to transfer knowledge. Or commit to researching travel destinations and finalizing an itinerary by next year. This step-by-step process will give you clarity and build confidence as you work toward your goal.
<h2>Integrating Personal and Professional Goals</h2>
Personal and professional goals are deeply intertwined. A promotion at work, for example, affects your family, finances, and even your lifestyle. Is a new role on the horizon? It could determine whether you stay in your current city or relocate to a new one.
At API, we encourage candidates to reflect on both aspects together. Here are some thought-provoking questions to guide this process:
<ul>
<li>What inspires you about your work?</li>
<li>Where do you want to live, and why?</li>
<li>How much income do you need to meet your financial and personal goals?</li>
<li>What type of people do you want on your team?</li>
<li>What kind of work environment energizes you?</li>
<li>What type of work do you enjoy most, and what drains you?</li>
<li>How will this role impact your relationships, leisure time, or family life?</li>
</ul>
For instance, if you aspire to a leadership role, consider the time commitment. Will it give you enough flexibility to spend time with family or pursue hobbies? If you’re considering a move, think about how it aligns with your long-term goals. Will it help you be closer to extended family or experience a new culture or better weather?
These questions help align your career aspirations with your personal values, creating a more thoughtful and holistic approach to goal setting. The goal is to ensure that each step forward enhances both your professional success and personal fulfillment.
<h2>The Power of Writing It Down</h2>
Here’s a secret: Goals don’t work unless you write them down. I’ve been guilty of jotting down my goals in January, only to find the list six months later. Sound familiar?
Writing goals down is just the first step. Reviewing them regularly is what makes the difference. Set a monthly reminder to revisit your goals. Or better yet, put them on your phone and look at them when you find yourself waiting for an appointment. Reflect on what helped or hindered your progress. Identify distractions so you can course-correct. Goal setting is a living process—it evolves as you do.
Not every goal needs to be monumental. Sometimes, it’s about maintaining momentum or making small improvements. For example:
<ul>
<li>Personal: Add four new core-strengthening exercises to your workout.</li>
<li>Professional: Read articles on sustainable aviation fuel&nbsp;and lead a team discussion.</li>
</ul>
Small steps build confidence and pave the way for larger accomplishments.
<h2>Make Goals SMART</h2>
A helpful framework is the SMART method—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-centered.
Now let’s apply this to aviation. Instead of saying, “I want to be an Assistant Chief Pilot,” break it down: “I’ll volunteer as a Safety Officer this year and prepare my team for an external audit to achieve IS-BAO Stage III registration. We’ll review SMS vendors and finalize a selection by our Q4 budgeting cycle.” This approach is actionable and achievable.
<h2>Looking Ahead</h2>
Setting goals isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. By thinking three years ahead and breaking down your aspirations, you take control of your future. Whether it’s advancing your career, improving your finances, or nurturing relationships, the process begins with clarity and commitment.
As 2025 approaches, I challenge you to ask yourself: Where do I want to be three years from now, at the start of 2028? Then, reverse-engineer your way there. After all, the best way to predict the future is to own it and create it.
The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by AIN Media Group.

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