We're well into the second half of 2024, and I hope you are filled with hope and optimism. It's time to think like a marathon runner and pace yourself so you can use the rest of the year to make wonderful things happen. Remember, if you don't, then no one else will. I believe work should help you grow and thrive and help you play to your strengths.
As an Executive Coach, I see people who plod along without using their full potential. I can tell how happy someone is in their career in less than five minutes. How? I pick up on what's not said and between the lines. Those who love what they do tend to vibe at a different level. They exude positivity, have great ideas, and are optimistic about the future.
Doing A Job You Hate
It's not worth it. I hear you say you've got bills and financial commitments, but the journey is way too short to tolerate a job that you don't like. If you are in this camp, please seriously consider your options. Who knows, maybe you'll find something you enjoy and thrive instead of plodding.
My Story
I had a nice track record when I started as a young grad. I had great grades, and I worked with big names. I thought University would prepare me for the real world. It didn't. Despite having a first-class degree, I had to start right at the bottom, like all the other management trainees. But that's where I learned survival skills in the cutthroat corporate world.
Looking back on it, it's amazing how adaptable the human spirit is and how much you can try to soothe it, negotiate with it, or barter. In the end, the spirit always wins. Generally speaking, I had a great time. However, I knew something was missing.
I joined one big name after another over ten years and remember sitting in one big Fortune 500 and thinking, is this it? Indeed, there's got to be more to this work life than the one I was living.
I remember my colleagues' moods varying depending on the day of the week. Mondays and Tuesdays were 'get on with it' days, Wednesday was the 'hump day' and Thursday was the day before TGIF (Thank God It's Friday).
I no longer wanted to be surrounded by the weekly countdown. Instead, I chose to escape and created my path. Since becoming an Executive Coach, I've not counted the days like my colleagues in the Corporate World.
It was tough initially because of the conditioning, but I started to thrive once I learned to adapt. Now, I thoroughly enjoy my working week, especially when learning, growing and helping my clients excel and succeed. As a result, I've achieved more by doing less.
Here are ten signs you're doing well in your career.
Upskilling
You make career decisions based on your values
Taking control of your development
Learning from mistakes
Being accountable for your actions
Not drifting
You learn from your career challenges
You're not afraid to ask for help
You set healthy boundaries
You embrace change
- Upskilling
You engage in Upskilling to improve your skills and knowledge, stay relevant in your industry, or prepare for new opportunities. You're open to learning new technologies, taking courses, and attending conferences.
You've appreciated that it's important to enhance your skills by gaining expertise in areas where AI cannot replace human workers. AI is less likely to replace roles requiring creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving.
These skills are highly valued in many industries, and developing them will make you a more valuable employee.
2. Value-Based Career Decisions
Self-awareness is your competitive edge in the workplace. Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, and triggers helps you navigate workplace challenges more effectively. It also enables you to recognise and seize opportunities that align with your skills and values.
You've been asking yourself the following questions
- What does work mean to me?
- What's not working for me right now?
- What could be better?
- What's my dream job?
- What's the one step I must take to make the necessary change?
- Who could help me?
3. Take Control of Your development
Learning comes in many forms. Gone are the days when the classroom provided the majority of learning. That's not the case anymore because learning is everywhere, online, offline, on-site, offsite. It just depends on you and your preferred learning style.
You update your knowledge by reading and finding out what's going on in your industry. You understand the challenges your business/industry faces today and tomorrow. You keep informed, remain competitively positioned, and talk to colleagues and management.
You're aware that you've got more choices than you think you do. You appreciate that when you jump into the driving seat of your learning, your powerhouse will help you face tomorrow with greater confidence.
4. Learning from Mistakes
Mistakes? We've all made them, especially in our careers. If you haven't made any, you've not set enough stretch goals.
Whether you zigged when you should've zagged or missed that golden chance, it's not about the rearview — it's about the road ahead.
Here's your 5-step blueprint to leave career regret in the dust:
Own It. Made a mistake? Admit it. You can't rewrite the past but you can pen a killer next chapter.
Look Back, Learn, Leap. Ponder on that oops moment. What could've been better? Take the lesson, ditch the baggage, and prepare for a fresh start.
Play to Your Power. Don't get stuck in regret's quicksand. Dial into your strengths, talents, and passions. That's where your true north lies.
Chart a New Path. Set clear, crisp career goals. Chalk out your journey and celebrate every milestone, big or small.
Just Do It. Enough said. Dive into action. Retrain, reconnect, or reinvent. Build the career you've always wanted.
5. Be Accountable For Your Actions
You're maxing out your talents and resources and not blaming others for not achieving your full potential. You're accountable for your actions and thoughts because you know no one else. You've learned to #ownit so you keep your power.
6. Not Drifting
You're clueless that if you expect your boss to provide the stretches when needed, you're in for a rude awakening in today's business world. Why? If you wait for others to identify new projects or goals, you might be waiting a long time. Instead, do this yourself.
A Proactive mindset will help you position yourself for better opportunities. How? You'll be on the lookout as you connect different ideas in your powerhouse.
7. Learn From Career Challenges
With the right attitude and mindset, you're learning from Career challenges. You see them as an opportunity to refine, innovate and grow. You are open to feedback, actively seek out challenges, and view failures as opportunities for improvement. This mindset promotes a culture of continuous learning and development in the workplace.
Additionally, challenges encourage you to think creatively and find innovative solutions to problems. It challenges the status quo and pushes you to think outside the box. This mindset fosters a culture of innovation and encourages you to explore new ideas, take calculated risks, and find creative ways to improve processes and achieve better outcomes.
8. Asking for Help
You're not afraid to ask for help, especially if you don't know. You've learned to ask better questions. You've learnt not to ask someone about the what, but you're interested in developing a 'how' so you can learn faster. You should figure it out yourself and then share your thinking/process/strategy with the person you're asking. They will then help you shape it further.
9. Setting Healthy Boundaries
You set boundaries, so you're able to push back confidently. For example, if your boss consistently asks you to work late or gives you tasks outside your job description, you've learned that setting boundaries is essential. This might mean having a conversation about reasonable expectations or occasionally saying no.
10. Embrace Change
The only certainty is uncertainty in today's world. You're adapting to the changing world around you because, you know, change is constant in most industries, and those who can pivot and embrace new approaches or technologies are more likely to thrive.
When you embrace these moments of setback as opportunities for growth, you become more adept at handling larger setbacks and adversities with grace and resilience.
Parting Comments
Many people hate their jobs or dream of better days or retirement. For an Executive Coach like me, this isn't very comforting. Why? It means the individual isn't happy, which will impact their personal life and potentially ripple effect on their world.
I know of a high-level Executive, and we calculated that when he's having a bad day, 1000 people are potentially impacted by this. He has ten direct reports, each with ten direct reports. Do the math. Now, this is just at work. Multiply all this with the number of people in their personal lives. You get the gist.
The human spirit is adaptable and will work with you to give you unimaginable outcomes. Remember, you've got more choices than you think you do. When you jump into the driving seat of your learning, your powerhouse will help you face tomorrow with greater confidence.
Thank you for your attention.
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Pervin
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