📝 usncan Note: 5 Career Goals To Set As The ‘Great Lock In’ Trend Goes Viral
Disclaimer: This content has been prepared based on currently trending topics to increase your awareness.
The Great Lock In highlights the value of revisiting career goals during the final months of the year.
getty
TikTok’s latest viral trend isn’t a dance or a meme. The Great Lock In is about spending September through December in hyperfocus mode, using the final months of the year to commit to self-improvement and ambitious career goals.
While the phrase started with Gen Z creators, the idea resonates far beyond TikTok. The fall season is often viewed as a natural “fresh start” moment, making it an ideal time for professionals to reset and refocus. Psychologists call this a temporal landmark, a point in time like a birthday or seasonal shift that can spark motivation to take on new challenges.
The Great Lock In also appeals to Millennials, Gen X and Boomers. A recent Utah Valley University study found that interesting work and opportunities for growth are among the strongest predictors of job satisfaction across generations. With employees consistently craving challenge and purpose, the Great Lock In offers a chance to revisit career goals, build momentum and finish the year stronger, whether that means preparing for a promotion, exploring a career pivot or taking first steps toward a side hustle. Here are five career goals to consider.
1. Revisit Your Career Roadmap
The Great Lock In is about focus, which makes it the perfect time to evaluate your professional trajectory. Are you on track to meet the career goals you set earlier in the year? Do those goals still align with what you want now? A Gallup survey found that only 31% of U.S. employees are engaged at work, and drifting off course with your goals is one reason why. Re-examining your path now can help you realign before the new year.
Real-World Example
A Millennial professional who started the year aiming for a promotion may realize they’re more interested in making a lateral move that builds new skills. Likewise, a Gen X manager may want to shift focus toward succession planning or better work-life balance.
Try This
Write down your top three career priorities for the next 90 days. Rank them in order of importance, then block time on your calendar for each. If a promotion is your top priority, schedule weekly check-ins with your manager to clarify expectations. Share your list with a mentor or peer to stay accountable and adjust as needed.
2. Build Consistency Through Daily Habits
TikTok creators are treating the Great Lock In like a personal training camp. You can do the same with career habits. Think of small, repeatable actions that compound over time, like reaching out to one new contact each week, carving out 20 minutes a day for learning or dedicating time to polish your LinkedIn profile. It typically takes about two months to form a new habit, which makes the September to December window the perfect timeframe.
Real-World Example
A Gen Z professional might commit to writing one thoughtful LinkedIn comment each day to grow visibility. At the same time, a Gen X employee might dedicate 15 minutes each morning to scanning industry headlines. Both approaches build steady momentum.
Try This
Start a “career habit tracker” in a notebook or an app. Each day, log one small action, such as sending a networking email, updating a portfolio or reading an industry article. At the end of the week, circle three actions that had the most significant impact. Over 90 days, those micro-steps will add up to measurable progress.
3. Invest In Skills That Increase Your Value
Gen Z may be using the Great Lock In for fitness or study goals, but professionals can take a similar approach by leveling up their skills. In the next several years, nearly half of all workers’ skills will be disrupted by AI and automation. That makes this an ideal time to focus on building capabilities that will make you more marketable and resilient.
Real-World Example
A Gen X manager might commit to learning generative AI tools to improve team efficiency, while a Millennial professional could invest in leadership training to prepare for advancement. A side hustler could use this season to learn digital marketing or e-commerce skills to expand income streams.
Try This
Pick one skill that supports your role today and one that prepares you for the future. Enroll in a short online course or certification program, then block three 30-minute sessions each week to focus on it. By December, you’ll have logged 30 or more hours—enough to add a new credential to your résumé or LinkedIn profile.
4. Create Accountability Structures
One reason the Great Lock In resonates on TikTok is the accountability that comes from posting progress publicly. You don’t have to share your goals online, but building in accountability is crucial. Research from the American Society of Training and Development shows people are 65% more likely to achieve a goal after committing it to someone else, and 95% more likely if they schedule regular check-ins.
Real-World Example
A Boomer professional nearing retirement might share succession planning goals with a trusted colleague or financial planner, while a Millennial might set up regular check-ins with a peer group over Zoom. In both cases, accountability turns vague goals into consistent action.
Try This
Ask a trusted colleague or mentor to be your accountability partner. Schedule recurring 15-minute check-ins every two weeks. Use that time to share one win, one challenge and one next step. If you prefer digital accountability, post brief updates on LinkedIn or in a Slack group for professionals.
5. Redefine Success On Your Terms
The appeal of the Great Lock In is its flexibility. Each person sets their own rules and decides what matters most. Apply that to your career by redefining what success means for you. For some, it’s a title or promotion. For others, it’s flexibility, autonomy or the chance to grow a side hustle.
Real-World Example
For one professional, success may mean moving into senior leadership, while another may define it as carving out more family time or growing a creative side hustle. Both are valid paths as long as they’re intentional.
Try This
Write your personal definition of success in one sentence. Keep it visible on your desk or phone wallpaper as a daily reminder. Each week, reflect on whether your actions aligned with that definition. If not, identify one adjustment for the week ahead, such as delegating a low-value task or dedicating an hour to a passion project.
The Great Lock In may have started as a TikTok trend, but it offers professionals of every generation a practical way to finish the year with focus. By setting intentional career goals now, you not only build momentum for the months ahead but also create a foundation for long-term success and fulfillment.
Feeling ready to lock in your own career goals? Subscribe to Corporate Escape Artist for weekly strategies to build freedom, flexibility and fulfillment beyond the 9–5.
