1. Jobs vs. Personality

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Your job or profession do not define who you are as a person.

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However, when we interact with society people tend to ask is “what do you do?” This implies we are defined in some way by the job we hold.

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Do not fall into the trap that your career equals your personality or who you are as a person. While we can take pride in what we do for a living, it is how you live your life where you find meaning and

what you accomplish that matters.

 

Once you have goals, you will begin to see that your job is a means to an end and not the goal in itself.

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2. Company Loyalty

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You work and the company pays you.

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Remember the days of working for the same company for years because they will take care of you during the hard times are over.  The company will over-work you or fire you if it meets the needs of the company. 

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We cannot count the number of times a company or manager has chosen their own self-interests over the well-being of the employee.   They will appeal to your altruism, the quality of your work, or even your greed to get you to sacrifice your personal wellbeing. 

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The main message here is to work with a company that helps you meet your personal and professional goals, but do not assume they are loyal to you. 

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3. Set Goals

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This is your personal journey and you should know what you want to accomplish in your career. 

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The reason to look for a new job or get a professional certification should not just be about making more money. Sure, making more money is a good goal, but will your next role set you up for success in the long run? Ask yourself what you want your life to look like and then ask yourself what you need to accomplish to make that vision a reality.

 

It’s imperative to set personal and professional goals. Otherwise, you are just looking for the proverbial light switch in the dark.

 

We recommend making S.M.A.R.T. goals.  See the article on Setting Good Goals for more information on goal setting.

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💡 Pro Tip: Make short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals. Revisit your goals weekly to check on your progress and adjust as needed.

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4. Know Your Worth

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If you don’t know your earning potential, then you are probably underpaid.

 

In only a few rare cases, and generally later in your career, will a recruiter or manager come to you and say “hey we have this great role and we would like to pay you more money.”  This means you are personally responsible for knowing what your skills are worth in the marketplace.

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To know the value of your time at work you need to be active and intentional about understanding what you can earn, or what various companies and comparable roles pay.

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5. More Money More Problems

While making money should be a consideration, it should not be the only one.

 

Most people think compensation is purely monetary, but there are other forms of compensation – here are a few:

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• Vacation days

• Education and training stipends

• Flexible work location 

• Flexible work hours

• Time off to volunteer

• Access to senior leaders and mentoring programs

 

Keep the concept of total compensation in mind when setting the goals that will accelerating your career. Ask yourself what matters to you and what do you value in a company, culture, and role.

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💡 Pro Tip: You can ask for other forms of compensation besides money, and often managers and companies can be more flexible on these other items; especially if it isn’t in the form of cash compensation.

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6. Embrace Feeling Uncomfortable

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You must get outside of your comfort zone to grow.

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If you are setting lofty goals to accelerate your career, then you are going to do things you have never done before and that can be uncomfortable. Networking with complete strangers or asking for more money in your current job is uncomfortable if you have never done it before.

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Embrace the idea that discomfort is how you grow and improve.  Eventually these activities that were once uncomfortable will become normal, you will become intentional about what you want out of your career, and you will begin to thrive as you take control of your outcomes.

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7. Be Resilient

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You will have failures in your career and while pursuing your goals, but by being resilient, focusing on your goals, and taking small steps forward you will find success.

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It is easy to say, but when you don’t get the interview, or don't get an offer letter, or when nothing seems to be working you must take a moment to reflect on your goals and lean into the failure.

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Make those disappointments fuel the fire that drives you and narrows your path to success.