8 Steps: Career Success

As an evidence-based life and career coach, I sometimes work with clients who are just starting out in their careers. They’re keen to succeed and they’re focused on how to make that happen. The following ideas help with that.

But you know what? They aren’t just for people starting out. It might also be helpful, if you’re mid-career and floundering or even if you’re nearing the end of your career and you’re really satisfied, to check in with these principles and use them to see how you’re tracking.

+ Go with your strengths

Career progress relies heavily on identifying and leveraging your strengths and skills. Get clear on what you’re good at then design your professional efforts around those abilities.

+ Gather your people

Impressive career success requires some serious support. Keep close the people who really believe in you and then consciously but respectfully disengage from those who drain your energy and confidence.

+ Sleep

Some folk who can manage on four hours a night but most people need a serious dose of shut-eye to perform at their best. Set a bedtime and then commit to it, as you would an important business meeting.

+ Be ruthless

There will always be people out there who will try to take advantage of you and your professional generosity. Get clear on your professional boundaries, write them down and then stick to them, ruthlessly.

+ Be kind

To yourself and others. Self-kindness will sustain your self-belief and energy. Kindness to others will build you an impressive reputation that will boost your career-advancing efforts.

+ Recover

Consistent energy exertion requires a balance of energy renewal. If you want to operate at your peak, it is crucial that you schedule time in your days and weeks to actively recover.

+ Ask questions

Don’t pretend to know what you don’t. Ask insightful questions, listen to the answers then implement what you’ve learnt. Curiosity, resourcefulness and application are highly regarded and rewarded.

+ Define the term

And finally – in order to really succeed in your career, it can be helpful to define the term success. What does it actually mean to you [separate to all the noise out there]. Is it about making lots of money? Is it about status and titles? Is it about having an impact, making a difference? Is it about learning? Or meeting amazing people? Or having a rich experience filled with joy?

Tags: career-coaching, life-coaching, Melbourne