We are responsible for our personal development. In the workplace, nobody is responsible for your career growth not even your boss. They may be responsible for your output but not your growth. So waiting for annual reviews to access your goals and accomplishment is a waste of time.
Take a look at 10 things to do today to improve your career:
1. Set small goals regularly
Waiting a whole year to measure your goals is long. It is better to break your goals into shorter time frames. bear in mind your day-to-day work? What can be done daily to improve it? Are there skills to upgrade you? Create a list of goals that relate to the questions. Ensure that you set deadlines to have learned these things.
2. Move out of your comfort zone
Stretch and go beyond your area of expertise. Take on more challenging tasks. Do something that scares you? It could be public speaking or making a presentation at a networking event or even guest posting on a famous blog? Once you overcome the fear of limitations, you develop and grow.
3. Get feedbacks
While self-assessment is good, you would also need feedbacks from your boss, colleagues and acquaintances. Ask questions about your performance? What people think of your personality? What needs to be improved upon? This would help you know where to work on and be a better version of yourself.
4. Curate your accomplishments
Do you have an idea of what you have done so far this year? You need to keep a document your work and accomplishments. Having a portfolio, is a visual evidence of your capabilities and this can wow your managers. Whenever there is an opportunity, your portfolio can stand out with your accomplishments because they are valid.
5. Study your industry
Be interested in all that is going on in your industry. Ask your managers, colleagues and customers questions related to your industry. Develop thoughtful insights about your company and industry. Don’t be afraid to share your insights on your industry when the opportunity comes up.
6. Read
Readers are leaders. Rad blog posts and business books about your career. Reading open your minds to new levels of doing things. It can be helpful in starting conversation during networking events. Reading also builds your career with new ways of doing things.
7. Network
You must have heard that your network is your networth. Attend industry events and connect with people of likeminds and similar interests. Ensure you leave them with a positive impression of you. You should use social media such as LinkedIn to your advantage. Never connect with people without a personalised message on how you share similar interests and can help them.
8. Get a mentor
A mentor is someone who has gone ahead of you and knows about your career path. Do you need feedback? Do you want to break out of your comfort zone? Are you confused about your next career move? Do you need directions? A mentor is the answer.
9.Have a protege
Just as you need mentors, you need proteges who would expose you to new methods of thinking and ideas. Just as your protege is learning from you, you can also learn from them too.
10. Listen
It is good to listen for other opportunities and build relationships with new people in the industry. If you want to grow in your career, you need to be open to new opportunities and meeting new people. Also, make yourself visible for recommendations and referrals.