You've likely spent a lot of time learning the skills to do
well at your job. But how much time have you spent learning the skills to do
well at your career?
There is a difference. Take one of my clients, John, for
example. He's so sharp that in high school, he got a perfect score on his SATs,
and could ace any test without studying. And yet, many years later, he's
working at an average programming job, with not much room for advancement. He
is doing great work, and is happy with his life, but hasn't "moved
up" to the bigger, more innovative jobs that he would like.
1.
Clearly articulate your vision so you know where you're going.
You would never get on a plane without knowing the
destination. So why would you move through your career without knowing where
you're going with it?
In order to channel your energy and talents to fuel your
career, you need to have a clear vision of what you want to build and why you want
to build it.
2.
Define your personal brand.
What sort of superhero are you, anyway?
You have certain characteristics that really make you shine:
maybe you're creative, or judiciously fair, or keenly analytical, or generous.
Which are yours? How often do you live up to the "best version" of
yourself?
If you're like most people, the answer is probably that you
have your moments of greatness, but are usually operating at around 50% of your
full potential.
3.
Communicate with curiosity.
We all know how important clear communication can be at
work. And yet we still have misunderstandings, hurt feelings, bruised egos, and
frustrating meetings. I have found that one of the single most important
factors in building a great relationship with someone is curiosity: to
understand why they think what they think, and what they are feeling and why.
4. Take
care of yourself.
You can't be your best at work if your body and mind aren't
tuned up and ready to go.
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