If you're seeking some inspiration at this time of year make sure you read the following key points which will guide you to achieving success in your professional life. With the new year nearly upon us, what better time to set the wheels in motion!
1. Proactivity is a secret weapon.
Begin building your proactive habits as soon as possible by seeking out ways to go above and beyond your role every day. This could mean kicking your projects to the next level, finding new ways to impact your company, or even just improving internal processes to make things run smoother. Proactivity is a crucial part of advancing your career.
2. Perfection isn’t attainable. Being a perfectionist and micromanaging others—even if they aren’t your direct reports—can be damaging. People don’t like being told what to do, and good leadership and management doesn’t come from tweaking things to perfection. Instead, live by the 80/20 rule and ask questions to derive answers when it comes to managing others.
3. Great public speaking skills create influence.
It’s important to understand that those who can speak well, be it in a company meeting or at a presentation, typically become trusted leaders. Never stop improving as a public speaker, even if it’s something you initially fear. If you have a strong voice and show confidence, authority will follow.
4. Work isn’t just about cashing your paycheck.
If you’re in it for the money alone, you’re probably not going to get very far. Work is truly about passion - finding and doing what you love. Being driven by passion is an insanely beneficial motivator.
5. Seek out a mentor.
If you don’t already have a mentor, it’s time to go out and find one. You may find a mentor in someone within your company or a person you look up to in your industry. If you don’t already know of someone who would make a great mentor, there are plenty of websites, organizations, conferences and networking events that can hook you up with someone who shares your professional vision and can offer helpful advice.
6. Know what makes you better than the rest.
The days of fitting into a professional mold are dead and gone.Today, knowing what sets you apart from the crowd professionally is the way to build your career. Knowing your top skills and using them to establish your personal brand will catch the eye of employers and maybe even lead you to starting a business of your own.
7. Always risk it.
We all know that risks and rewards go hand-in-hand. If you aren’t open to taking the occasional risk, you’re likely to get stuck in a flow that you can’t break from. This doesn’t always mean starting your own business or quitting your job for something less conventional. Taking risks often means overcoming your fears and reaching for opportunities you may have overlooked with more thinking.
One thing’s for certain: there is never any time to stop learning and growing as a professional. It’s the experiences we encounter that help transform us into better, brighter, and more successful versions of ourselves.