People react very differently to the waves of change that suddenly flood the work and marketplace.
Some, who feel confused or unsettled struggle to keep their heads above water gasping for air. By contrasts, others, who may not even like or agree with the changes, nevertheless accept them, get on with their lives and swim forcefully to their new destination. The following three tactics will help you mobilize your resources to take charge of your career.
1. Fuel the Fire In Your Heart.
Live your life and career with intention. The key to sustained peak performance is discovering who you are, what you want in life, and then confidently pursue it. Remember, if you don’t know where you’re going, how will you know that you’ve arrived?
Start by develop a career line that shows your career highs and lows from your first job to the present. What kinds of activities were you involved in during your highs – during your lows? Continue this getting to know yourself process by locating your inner energy source. What really gets the juices flowing for you? Is it challenge? Helping other? Being creative? Having authority? Making an impact? Whatever motivates you, write it on a card and look at it every morning.
2. Forget Being the Lone Ranger
Are you familiar with the saying: “It’s not what you know, .but who you know.” Well in today’s changing work world, the new saying is: “It’s not only what you know, it’s not only who you know, but, as important, it’s who knows you and your work.”
First thing to do is to inventory your network. List all the key people in your career world. Are your contacts mostly within your area? r are there linkages into different departments, divisions, subsidiaries? What about outside your company? What kinds of relationships do you have? Hi and good by? Or Hi! What have you been doing? Develop relationships with a whole array of people. It’s your ticket to career advancement and success.
3. Don’t Just Stand There, Do Something.
Recognize a successful career in not a spectator sport. Opportunities do not just get placed on your desk. Organizations will no longer provide you with clearly defined career paths. Don’t be an absentee landlord and neglect your personal career management. Take charge of your career…., if you don’t … no one else will.
Focus on career contingency planning. Do you have a Plan A, a Plan B, and even a Plan C? What conditions could possibly change in your job; your company; or your industry? Do you have a clear idea where you could jump if unexpected roadblocks arise? Where else can you apply your skills and showcase your talents? A successful career is not fixed in stone, but is fluid and subject to change.
Career Success Tip:
Remember, the name of the game is action. Make sure your career goals are not stranded on a island called: “Someday I’ll………..” If you want something, don’t just think or talk about it. Figure out a way to make it happen. Set specific goals. Develop action plans. Have realistic timetables. Find the resources you need. See Career Success Part 1: Don’t let You Guard Down and Part 2: Get Ahead of the Crowd.
Do you want to develop Career Smarts?
- For more resources, see the Library topic Career Management.
- Start with the Career Success System.
- Sign up for Career Power: 101 success tips.
- Fast track your career. Be part of a Success Team.
- Need a speaker? Get the Edge Keynotes-webinars-workshops.
- Find career and leadership boosters in the Smart Moves Blog.
- Copyright © 2012 Marcia Zidle career and leadership coach.
Marcia Zidle, a certified career strategist and business coach, works with high potential, high impact executives, managers and professionals to advance their careers and grow their leadership capabilities.