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Pivoting Isn't a Sign of Failure. It's Evidence of Growth
A Year of Growth: Reflecting on My SMART Goals
THE JOURNEY
Ruth
7/17/20266 min read
Looking back at the SMART goals I set last year made me realize that ideas change and evolve, and things don't always go according to plan. When I first started my Digital Marketing degree, I had a vision to grow my small graphic design business through my new marketing skills, and a long-term goal of building a marketing agency to help other business owners with their creative and marketing needs. But the more I learned about marketing, the more I realized this isn't a vision I can build alone. It takes intentional networking, support, and resources to build something great. As I revisit those original goals now, I can see they weren't fully realistic. They were dreams I had at the very start of this journey at Full Sail University, and before I understood what the path actually required.
How My Goals Shape My Journey
Setting goals gives me direction and clarity, but revisiting those goals is what puts things into perspective. It's easy to set a goal and never look back at it, but going back to check my progress against what I actually wanted forced me to ask harder questions: Is this still what I want? Did my priorities shift? What did I learn about myself along the way? That process of learning alone has fueled my ambition more than the original goal ever did, because it turned an idea into a plan I can follow and adjust as I grow.
Progress I've Made Toward My Short-term Goal
Eight months ago, I set a short-term SMART goal to land a position as a social media coordinator at a remote marketing agency by graduation in July 2027, which I planned to do by building a strong personal brand through my LinkedIn profile, portfolio, and other social media channels, highlighting my analytical, content creation, and visual storytelling skills.
What I failed to do when I first set this goal was get specific enough. I never specified what industry I wanted to work within, how many posts I'd commit to sharing across my social media platforms, how I'd realistically manage content creation while balancing school, freelance projects, and life as a single parent, or whether that pace was even sustainable. Because of that, what I labeled a "short-term" goal was really never short-term at all.
Although my goal was not specific or realistic enough, my tactics still moved me forward. I built a strong creative portfolio showcasing my work in web analytics and reporting, copywriting, social media strategy, content creation, video editing, market research, web design, and visual storytelling. I also grew my following across LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok, and discovered a genuine love for video content and passion for health and wellness. So while the goal itself wasn't structured well, working toward it still built the skills, the motivation, and the clarity I needed to shift gears.
My Recovery Plan
Because I haven't fully achieved the short-term goal I originally set, and because my vision has evolved, I'm pivoting and changing direction. Through my coursework, I learned how critical networking is, and it's something I should have prioritized from the start. As an introvert, connecting with new people has never come naturally to me, but I've made peace with the fact that I can't build a career in this field in isolation.
As result, I've made a recovery plan which includes:
Joining the AMA Orlando Chapter by August 2026, attending events, and volunteering to gain hands-on experience before applying to my next entry-level marketing role.
Engaging with posts on LinkedIn at least three times a week to stay visible to industry leaders and experts, while targeting specific companies I'm interested in, and connecting with individuals from those organizations.
Building a content calendar with clear content pillars, setting an automated scheduling process to distribute my content on a consistent basis, and establishing content days to research, plan, film, edit, and post consistently.
Sharing more of what I'm learning in school on LinkedIn, including reflections, industry news, small wins, and insights that showcase my expertise in content and social media marketing.
My New SMART Goals
My short-term goal has not only changed, it has evolved. My new goal is to secure a remote Digital Marketing Coordinator internship by January 2027, ideally with a company in the health and wellness, fitness, or travel and hospitality industries. I'll get there by strengthening my communication and interview skills so I can apply with confidence. Actively networking on LinkedIn, and continuing to build my expertise in lifestyle content creation, market research, visual storytelling, community management, and campaign development while learning SEO, email marketing, and Google Analytics. This goal is relevant because it gives me a solid plan to land an entry-level agency role and connects me with people in the field along the way.
To measure my progress, I'm using Notion to document the process and a Google Sheets application tracker to record every agency I apply to, application dates, interview outcomes, key takeaways, and what I'd do differently next time. This goal is relevant because it provides a clear path toward landing an entry-level agency role while helping me build meaningful connections with professionals I can learn from, and who can mentor and guide me throughout my career.
My new and improved medium-term goal is to land a remote entry-level position at a marketing agency after graduation, where I can apply everything I've learned throughout my degree and internship. To prepare, I plan to earn certifications in SEO, email marketing, and Google Analytics through LinkedIn Learning by March 2027, before I graduate. So far, I've taken steps toward this goal by posting more consistently to sharpen my skills, researching topics my audience cares about so I can position myself as a valuable source in marketing, building a marketing portfolio I'm proud of, and sharing content on my personal brand social media. Moving forward, I'm committed to expanding my network both remotely and here in Central Florida through networking events, while pursuing mentorship opportunities through Full Sail University.
My long-term goal has also evolved. Originally, I wanted to run my own creative agency, but now my focus is on building a successful marketing career, growing into a marketing manager and recognized expert in my field, and mentoring other digital marketers by 2030. I plan to work toward this by joining professional marketing associations to expand my network, attending meetups and industry events where I can connect with professionals face to face, and continuing to learn new skills as technology and trends evolve. I want to be known as a marketing leader who is influential, creative, and helpful, backed by strong professional relationships, a personal brand I'm proud of, and knowledge across different areas of marketing.
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on the SMART goals I set last year taught me that not everything goes according to plan, and that as I keep learning and growing, my goals may change, and that's okay. My goals have changed, but my passion for marketing and serving others through my creativity and expertise hasn't. If anything, it has grown into something bigger than what I first imagined.
Looking back, I realize this journey was more than completing school projects, excelling academically, and earning a degree. It's about who I am becoming along the way. Through the projects and the research, I've learned a lot about myself: what I enjoy, my strengths, my weaknesses, and what I still need to work on to succeed as a digital marketing professional. I've learned how much professional relationships and networking matter, and how to push past the fear of being seen, and sharing my thoughts and my work with the world. This journey has helped me step out of my comfort zone and truly embrace what makes me unique and what I can bring to my next role.
The biggest lesson in all of this is that it's okay to pivot, it's okay to change course, but it's never okay to give up. Revisiting my goals gave me the opportunity to reflect on where I was, where I am today, and where I'm going, and whether my original plan still aligns with who I'm becoming. It pushed me to build a new plan, one rooted in my current interests and circumstances.
Every goal I set last year has shifted in some way, but I'm more confident now than when I started this program. I have more clarity, and I trust that my path is leading me exactly where I need to be. And I know that with perseverance and faith, I can get there.