While the keys to professional success may seem elusive, you can take steps today to improve your tomorrow. Usually, your career doesn’t magically transform overnight. But if you can focus on the right things, you can make progress.
Recently, I held a LinkedIn poll on the topic of professional success. Here’s how it turned out:
What is the top reason for professional success?
- Hard work: 42%
- Luck: 7%
- Great connections: 43%
- A career in the right industry: 9%
Let’s look at these choices and come up with at least one actionable strategy for each:
Hard Work
Hard work is easy to claim but it is subjective. Let’s think about it in terms of your impact on the job.
Are you able to keep up with your workload? Do people look at you as a go-to person when an issue comes up? Or do people think of you as the last person to arrive and the first to leave?
Wherever you are on the hard work spectrum, think about an area of your job where you excel. What’s the reason for this success and can you build on it? What commitment can you make today to improve? And what obstacles need to be removed or reduced in order for you to change.
Luck
You can’t count on random factors to help your career. But luck is often the intersection of chance and preparation.
When an opportunity to learn or grow comes, are you able to respond to it? For some, they want to do it but are too far behind on their work to embrace something new.
While this is understandable, if it happens frequently, it’s likely a sign of a career that’s stuck in mediocrity.
Ahead of time, think about how you could take on these opportunities. Could you get ahead in your workload, petition a supervisor, or just take the chance that you’ll figure it out later?
Showing initiative and making sure it won’t disrupt others, sets you up for success with unexpected opportunities. You’re thinking beyond your current position.
Great Connections
Sometimes it’s your professional network that introduces you to new opportunities or pushes you to improve. Some network with ease, while others feel awkward. Wherever you are, focus on doing one thing a week to strengthen your network.
Maybe you attend a networking event. These can be hit or miss depending on the group. If it’s not a good match for your needs, move on to another group. Do focus on how you can help people, rather than how they can help you. Think service vs. selfish.
Networking can also see you reconnect with people you already know. Even your best friends may forget what you do. Also, people may not instinctively know if you’re looking to move on to something new or better.
Once a week, pick a friend or a LinkedIn connection and give them a quick update. Also, ask about them, as people like reciprocal relationships. By just interacting with one person, you can keep things personal, rather than make them feel like they are part of a marketing campaign.
Don’t expect instant results. This is more about planting seeds that may help you in the future.
Career in the Right Industries
Consider where you work or want to work. Are these places where you could see yourself longterm?
Professional success may be limited in your current industry. Conditions may change over time. A growing industry may now have layoffs.
You can be loyal to an employer but also aware of other opportunities. It’s also possible that a business may pivot in such a way that no longer plays to your strengths.
Even if you’re happy in your current job, always have an updated resume ready to go.
What’s Not on the List?
Take a moment to think if you ever fall into any of these bad career behaviors:
- Not focused on goals
- Gossiping
- Complaining
- Staying in a bad situation
All of these suggest that it may be time for a change because these behaviors usually limit professional success and are a byproduct of larger issues.
Let’s Create a Memorable Meeting
