Did you create a New Year’s resolution?
Not this year, but last year.
If so, do you remember what it was? Most people don’t.
People create a New Year’s resolution with the best of intentions, but after a short time they forget it. Studies (such as the one done by Richard Wiseman) indicate that 88% of New Year’s resolutions fail.
Do You Want Success Instead?
One of the reasons why resolutions fail is because they are generic. For example, someone might set a resolution of improving their career by earning more certifications.
If you want to really implement a change in your life, you can do so by setting a goal instead of creating a resolution. At a minimum, an effective goal states two things:
- What you want
- When you want it
As an example, if you want to get a security certification, you can set this goal:
I will earn the Security+ certification by midnight March 1, 2017.
or
“I will earn the SSCP certification by midnight April 15th.”
or
“I will earn the CISSP certification by midnight May 15th.”
Creating Effective Goals the SMART way
During my time in the Navy, trainers taught me that effective goals are SMART:
- Specific. State exactly what you want. For example, instead of setting the goal: “I want a certification,” set a goal of “I want to earn the Security+ certification.”
- Measurable. Goals are specific enough so that anyone, including you, can tell when you’ve achieved it. For example, after taking and passing the Security+ exam, you’ll have the certificate that you can show to anyone.
- Achievable. If you’re working in an IT job or pursuing one and have relevant Networking knowledge, it is achievable to earn the Security+ certification, often in 30 days or less.
- Realistic. The Security+ exam is difficult, but I hear from people almost every day telling me that they’ve passed the exam using the CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-401 Study Guide and/or study packages on this site. With the relevant networking knowledge and the right study materials, this exam is within reach of anyone willing to take the time to study.
- Time-limited. A date identifies when you expect to achieve the goal. This helps spur you to action and enables you to evaluate your progress.
For example, this is a SMART goal:
I will earn the Security+ certification by midnight March 1, 2017.
You can modify your goal substituting any other certification such as CASP, CCNA, or anything else you like. Similarly, you can change the date to something that is achievable based on your current knowledge and the certification.
Each of the eleven chapters presents topics in an easy to understand manner and includes real-world examples of security principles in action. You’ll understand the important and relevant security topics for the Security+ exam, without being overloaded with unnecessary details. Additionally, each chapter includes a comprehensive review section to help you focus on what’s important. Over 300 realistic practice test questions with in-depth explanations will help you test your comprehension and readiness for the exam. The book includes: Each practice test question includes a detailed explanation to help you understand the content and the reasoning behind the question. You’ll be ready to take and pass the exam the first time you take it. If you plan to pursue any of the advanced security certifications, this guide will also help you lay a solid foundation of security knowledge. Learn this material, and you’ll be a step ahead for other exams. This SY0-501 study guide is for any IT or security professional interested in advancing in their field, and a must-read for anyone striving to master the basics of IT security.The 501 Version of the Study Guide
The CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-501 Study Guide
Do You Want the Security+ Certification?
If you want to get the Security+ certification, I want to help. For a limited time, you can get the Security+ Full Study Package for only $39.99, almost 30% off the normal price of $55.98.
This package includes:
- 525 practice test questions
- 468 multiple-choice practice test questions.
- Ten sets of performance-based questions (total of 57 questions)
- Almost six hours of audio
- 553 online flashcards and Remember This slides
- End of chapter reviews from the CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-401 Study Guide to remind you of key testable material
Sale ends Jan 14th.
If you don’t have the study guide, you might like the Full Security+ Course instead. It’s only $63.87 (a full 30%) until Jan 14th. It includes everything in the Security Full Study Package and also includes the full text of the CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-401 Study Guide in an online study package.
No matter what you’re pursuing though, I hope you achieve it.
If you’re one of the people that set a New Year’s resolution, you might find that it is already fading into the noise of the New Year. If you want to give it new life, change it into an effective goal. This will give you much better chance of ending the year as part of the 12% that achieves their New Year’s resolution.
