Aarti
Don’t let the pandemic get in the way of your career goals.
When things are unclear, it’s tempting to just say “screw it.” In the midst of a sudden pandemic, it’s easy to lose sight of long-term aspirations like changing careers or advancing in your current position.
But as far as I can see, you’re either going to have to sit tight and hope that things improve on their own or do what you can to make good things happen for yourself. If you’re a hard worker who would rather go with the second choice, then familiarising yourself with these five power talents can help you advance your career no matter what comes your way.
Aim for excellence
If you’re a driven professional, you’ve undoubtedly had this goal in mind from the very beginning of your career. We’re drilled to put in long hours, go above and beyond, and keep at it. But if you aren’t careful, you can fall into the trap of agreeing to take on too much.
This can cause you to overextend yourself on unimportant tasks while falling short when it really counts. Or, if you’re a perfectionist, you can fall into the trap of procrastination, which wastes your time and creates an endless list of things that need doing, all of which can have a negative effect on your productivity.
Knowing the differences between the various types of work is essential for producing high-quality results on a regular basis. This is best summed up by Patty Azzarello in her book Rise: 3 Actionable Steps to Boost Your Career, Define Your Leadership Brand, and Love Your Life. S
When asked to complete all of the work himself, he answers, “You have to find a way to deal with all of the work, not do all of the work.” You can’t be frightened to prioritise and work strategically if you want to build a record of success.
Advocate for yourself
A common parental falsehood was to tell their child to “put their head down and do the work.” If you put in enough time and effort, someone will notice your efforts and reward you with whatever you want without you even having to ask for it. I fell for that deception, and all my efforts to implement its suggestions yielded were bread crumbs.
No matter what field you’re in, you need to develop your communication skills if you want to advance in your profession. No one cares more about your professional development than you do, so it’s on you to prove to others that you deserve a promotion.
Don’t count on your past accomplishments to speak for themselves, whether you’re looking to advance in your current role or seek employment elsewhere. Keep your past accomplishments in mind. Stop worrying that you’ll come out as boastful or annoying if you stand up for yourself. Your professional success will increase if you master assertiveness skills as soon as possible.
Build genuine connections
I must admit that, early in my professional life, I foolishly believed I could successfully implement the “no new friends” policy. I was wrong; avoiding making new pals will limit your access to fresh possibilities.
If you want to be successful in your job no matter what the future holds, you need to be willing to make true connections in good times and bad. Including, of course, times when you aren’t actively seeking employment. You need to be able to do great work and advocate for yourself, but you also need allies in places you haven’t yet been invited to.
It’s natural to bond with people on your level at work, but don’t confine yourself to that group. Connect with people you don’t usually work with, such as those in higher positions or from different teams.
However, you shouldn’t stop there. Connect with people that inspire you even if they work for a different company or are in a different field. Building and maintaining these connections properly can have a significant impact on your professional life.
Adopt a “how can I help?” mindset
It’s a basic idea, but most people don’t actually apply it. You can miss out on being present, memorable, and beneficial to others if you’re always thinking about yourself. Confidence in meetings, interviews, and other circumstances where you might normally feel nervous or intimidated can be increased by adopting a “How can I help?” mentality.
Also Read: Self awareness in the workplace is crucial to success
Your reputation as a person who can be counted on to find solutions to difficult problems will grow if you make it a habit to often consider how you can assist others.
Note that you need not be a people pleaser to accomplish this; setting appropriate boundaries is essential. However, when you’re trying to make a good impression, shifting your attention might help you tune out a lot of distractions. Learn to empathise, listen, and think about how you might help the other person succeed, even if they are further along in their career than you are.
Cultivate your growth zone
You may take your profession to new heights with the mastery of the other four skills. Many otherwise successful people I know have reached a professional plateau by remaining stagnant for too long.
You have to be willing to be a student, to be uncomfortable, and to seek for guidance throughout your entire career, regardless of how far along you are. You are not being challenged enough in your profession if you are not learning new things or experiencing discomfort in some area.
Furthermore, success leaves signals, so if you’re not ready to ask for assistance, you’re likely making the road much tougher than it needs to be to advance in your job. Success in your profession depends on your ability to consistently operate within your growth zone.
Professional life, like real life, is full of unexpected turns. No matter what life throws at you, you can always recover and go on if you commit to excellence, advocate for yourself, develop genuine connections, adopt a “How can I help?” approach, and cultivate your growth zone.
