How to Reverse Engineer Your Path to Success 

Accomplishing a massive goal like a career transition or starting a new company can be daunting. But what if there was a way to work backward so you could achieve your dream? When you learn how to reverse engineer your goal, anything is possible.  
 
Reverse Engineer Meaning 
 
Reverse engineering is when you study the best in a field and work backward to figure out how it’s built in the first place. Like the completion of the iPhone, it’s about deconstructing the process it took to create it and the steps it took Steve Jobs to accomplish his goal.  

How to Reverse Engineer  

To create a framework for success, you’ll need to break down the steps and tasks necessary to make it happen.  

Photo credit: HBR

Step #1: Start With a Clear Vision of Your Goal 

Is there a dream job that keeps you up at night? Are you on the brink of aligning your future with where you want it to go? To reverse engineer your goal, research to figure out the specifics. Once you have a clear idea, write down your vision to make it tangible. 

Example:  
I aspire to be a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of a Fortune 500 company in Miami. 

Step 2: Break Your Goal Into Components To Identify Your Path 

Once you have identified your goal, deconstruct the key components and steps it takes to get there. Analyze each stage in detail to grasp the process. What necessary steps work best to meet your specific goals and needs? 

Example:  

• Understand the role and responsibilities of becoming a CFO  

• Identify key skills needed 

• Get a Bachelor’s Degree, advanced degree, or certification 

• Build the key experience 

• Network and build mentorships  

Step 3: Map a Path from the Future to the Present  

Using reverse goal setting, take the steps necessary to accomplish your goal and write them down starting with the future back to where you are now. Will the process take five years or more? What feels possible given your current circumstances? Is the budget feasible?

Example: 
Step 5: Develop CFO-level expertise and vision 
Step 4: Gain executive leadership experience 
Step 3: Achieve relevant education and certifications 
Step 2: Build key experience and skills in finance 
Step 1: Network and build relationships 

Step 4: Set Your Plan in Motion 

Now that you know the reverse engineer meaning, follow and implement the steps you’ve identified from the future to the present. Track your progress as you go, analyze the results, and make adjustments as needed! 

Remember, you don’t need an engineering degree to reverse engineer your goal! To find a job that aligns with your path, click here. 
 
To turn challenges into opportunities, keep reading: What’s Your Leadership Style?, How to Ask Smarter Questions, and Is Perfectionism Blocking Your Progress?