Now the November exams are over, it’s a good time to assess how far your career has progressed. Here are some questions to help you plan the next part in your journey. By Donna Dunning, author of ‘10 career essentials’.
What does career success look like for you?
Your career direction must align with who you are and what is important to you. What are you seeking from work? Your definition of success might include a variety of criteria, such as high status, work/life balance, helping others, flexible working hours, a structured work environment, or positive working relationships. Knowing what your career success looks like is an essential first step toward channeling your efforts in the right direction to bring personal and professional satisfaction.
Do you have a positive outlook?
People quickly judge you on what you do and say, or even on how you look, walk, and talk. Assess how you come across to others. Are you mostly upbeat and enthusiastic? Others will enjoy interacting with you and will value your contribution when you take care of yourself, manage stress, and demonstrate a positive attitude and confidence. When you have a positive attitude; and believe in and take care of yourself, your goals are easier to accomplish.
Do you take personal responsibility for your mistakes and accomplishments?
It is easy to blame others or minimise your role when results are less than optimal. Although you cannot control everything that happens, people who are successful in their career are accountable for what they say and do. By taking ownership of your words and actions, you link your efforts to success and learn from mistakes. Others see you as responsible and accountable, highly valued attributes in today’s workplace.
Are you learning from everyone around you?
Everyone can teach you something. Successful people pay attention to what others have to say. You will benefit in many ways by listening carefully, clarifying expectations, and acting on feedback from others. Many opportunities arise when you are open to, and eager to learn from, what others can offer.
Can you relate to everyone?
Career success also depends on expressing yourself clearly, directly, and diplomatically. When you express your perspectives and provide information and feedback effectively there is little room for miscommunication or misunderstanding. When you relate to anyone, you resolve conflicts and issues using a win-win approach and build a network of contacts willing to support your career development.
Are you curious?
There is a wealth of facts and ideas available in our information and internet-focused society. When you are actively curious, you seek out new information and manage it efficiently. As a result you become a lifelong learner who is up-to-date and knowledgeable. You apply what you learn to work more effectively. Others are confident in your ability to easily learn new skills and apply new information. They will have you in mind when new opportunities or challenges arise.
Are you using your thinking skills effectively?
To be successful at work you need to hone and direct your thinking to best deal with the situation at hand. Skilled professionals think carefully about and then select the right approach, strategies, and tools when working on tasks, making decisions, or solving problems. Focus on adapting and flexing your thinking by using an appropriate combination of thinking modes including practical, creative, global, logical, and humanistic thinking.
Do you exceed expectations?
Others need to know they can count on you to achieve exceptional results. You accomplish this by prioritising, planning, and organising your time and activities; and by persisting on tasks. Work to a high standard and continuously improve your work. When others know you will do a good job, they feel confident offering you new and important tasks and projects to complete. But don’t give up your life/work balance to be an overachiever - exceeding expectations means working smarter, not longer or harder.
Are you a change agent?
The world is rapidly changing, which requires a heads-up approach to life and work. Observing trends, anticipating change, and quickly adjusting to make the most of situations are necessary approaches to keep up with new developments. Change agents thrive in uncertainty by creating opportunities and positioning themselves for success.
Do others know about your goals and aspirations?
To create your success, you need to let others know your desired career path. When others know where you want to go, they can assist or guide your progress. As well as sharing goals, you can promote your skills, interests, experience, and other valuable personal qualities. Self-promotion opens the door to opportunities by showing people who you are and what you can do, but it should be built around confidence, not arrogance.
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