The Devil Wears Prada
We all start planning our future careers as early as age 5, but as we grow older we realize that it’s not as easy as we imagine. With different forms of requirements, certification, skill and talent, it’s not as easy as we imagined when we were five. Here are five simple strategies to help you on your path to success, that’s as easy as A-B-C.
Explore Your Options
As you go along thinking about finding the right career path for you, ask yourself these questions: What are my strengths? What do I want to achieve in the next five years? What am I passionate about? Am I doing something I was born to do? Even if you need to write the answers down, it’s good to assess yourself so you can fine-tune your work style and characteristics to find yourself in a job you’ve always wanted.
Work on Your Skills
We’re not always the best at everything we do. We all have different strengths and abilities, but when you plan on venturing into something that’s new to you, or even get promoted, it’ll be great to stand out from other employees by getting the latest industry expertise. Take up a course in your free time, or invest in another degree that can help you pursue bigger dreams.
Talk to Your Boss
Talking to someone who assesses your performance all the time will give you a better look into your strengths and weaknesses instead of just assuming them. It doesn’t have to only be your boss, speak to other people you work with. Schedule to talk to them casually over coffee or lunch and you can soon re-evaluate your priorities and your seek new ways to improve yourself.
Start a Performance Journal
Much like how most bosses require you to give him or her a report about the things you’ve accomplished in the week or month, give yourself your own performance journal too. Keep note of your weekly performance in the workplace. Be honest with yourself, and note down your high and weak points, your level of productivity, what you’ve accomplished in the day. Once you look at your personal performance record, you’ll be able to take your strengths and weaknesses to the next level of improvement.
Write Down Your Goals
When it comes to taking control of your career, drafting your goals out is the most important step to take before you can venture into anything more. Write down goals that captures your contributions, and even use the workplace goals, along with the responsibilities to keep you on the right track. That aside, write down your own development and career progression too.
