Career Development Program · Week 3
Backplanning
You have a SMART goal. Now you'll make a plan to reach it by working backward from your deadline.
Download the workbook (PDF)Backplanning means starting at the end and asking: what has to happen before I get there? Instead of feeling overwhelmed by a big goal, you break it into steps, figure out how long each one takes, and find the date you need to start.
Plans don't always go the way we expect. At the end of the week you'll check in on your plan and adjust it. That's part of the process, not a failure.
This week you’ll learn
- How to break a goal into small steps
- How to estimate time and find your start date
- How to get back on track when a plan slips
This week’s lessons
Read each short lesson, then answer the questions in the worksheet below.
How backplanning works
Start with your goal and deadline. List every step that has to happen first. Estimate the time for each. Add it up, then count back from your deadline to find your start date.
Example: a bakery job in 8 weeks
Say your goal is to get a job at a bakery in the next 8 weeks. Before you land that job, you might need to:
- Finish your resume
- Visit bakeries in your neighborhood
- Ask someone to be a reference
- Practice interview questions
- Schedule interviews
Example: Jasmine's backplan
SMART goal: Apply to three food service jobs by March 1st.
| Step | Time to complete |
|---|---|
| Finish resume | 2 days |
| Write one general cover letter | 2 days |
| Create LinkedIn and Indeed profiles | 3 days |
| Find 5 jobs I'm interested in | 2 days |
| Submit 3 applications | 3 days |
| Total | 12 days |
| Goal date − total time | Start date |
|---|---|
| March 1 − 12 days | February 17 |
Tips for a plan you'll keep
Make each step small enough to finish in a few days. Add a little extra time for the unexpected. Put your start date and deadline in your phone calendar.
End-of-week check-in
Come back to this page at the end of the week. It's normal for plans to slip. What matters is adjusting.
Worksheet: My backplan
These questions match the Week 3 worksheet in the workbook. You can type your answers into the PDF, write them by hand, or submit this form. Your coach sees what you submit online.
Download the workbook (PDF)* Required
Thank you!
Thank you. Your Week 3 Backplanning work is in. Come back to the CDP page next week for Time Management.