The latest TikTok trend isn’t a dance—it’s the “Great Lock In.” From September to December, professionals are challenging themselves to stay laser-focused on self-improvement, career growth, and personal success. While the trend started with Gen Z creators, the idea of locking in on career goals resonates across generations. Fall naturally feels like a fresh start, making it the perfect time to reset priorities and build momentum. If you want to finish the year stronger, here are five smart career goals to set during the Great Lock In.

Revisit Career Goals and Your Roadmap

The Great Lock In is all about clarity and focus. Start by asking: Are my current career goals still aligned with where I want to go? Many professionals drift because they haven’t checked in on their priorities. By reassessing your roadmap, you can identify whether to pursue a promotion, explore a lateral move, or shift focus toward work-life balance. Writing down your top three priorities for the next 90 days—and scheduling time for each—can help you stay accountable and on track.

Build Consistency Through Small Habits

Big career wins come from small, repeatable actions. The Great Lock In is the perfect time to strengthen habits like updating your LinkedIn, reaching out to new contacts weekly, or dedicating 20 minutes a day to learning. Research shows it takes about two months to build a habit, which makes this fall window ideal. Use a simple habit tracker to log daily progress, and watch how micro-steps compound into measurable growth by year’s end.

Invest in Skills That Future-Proof Your Career

With AI and automation reshaping industries, skill development is one of the most valuable career goals you can set during the Great Lock In. Focus on skills that increase both your current impact and long-term marketability—whether that’s mastering generative AI tools, improving leadership capabilities, or learning digital marketing for a side hustle. Just three 30-minute sessions a week can add up to 30+ hours of learning by December, giving you an edge going into the new year.

Redefine Success on Your Terms

The beauty of the Great Lock In is its flexibility: you choose what matters most. For some, success is climbing into senior leadership. For others, it’s gaining flexibility, building a side hustle, or creating more family time. Defining success for yourself helps ensure your goals feel meaningful, not just externally driven. Write your personal definition of success in one sentence, keep it visible, and review it weekly to ensure your actions reflect what truly matters to you.