If you’ve been thinking about making a change to or advancing in your career and you’ve been putting it off, there are practical things you can do now to make it happen. You can think or talk about it all you want, but until you take action, you’re not going to get very far.
[See: Tips for Surviving a Career Transition.]
There are simple things you can start doing today to help you get where you want to go. From the ideas below, choose what you enjoy most so that you’ll stick with them, rather than things you dread because your commitment won’t last. “Spark: How to Lead Yourself and Others to Greater Success” by Angie Morgan, Courtney Lynch, and Sean Lynch suggests some of the following approaches to help you act more intentionally to achieve your goals.
Company News. There are companies we are drawn to, perhaps because of their exceptional customer service or branding. Whatever the reason, get to know more about those you admire and want to learn more about. Subscribe to their news feeds or newsletters so you can get to know them better. This will help you understand their culture and corporate goals. If you eventually decide to apply to an opening, you’ll be able to better tap into their needs when you prepare your application and interview.
Industry News. Engage with sources from industries you’re not familiar with. Think of industries different than your own in which you might have a possible interest. Try reading magazines from those industries to find out what the current trends and issues are. It may ignite an interest in learning more about issues within an industry, or you may find a job you never knew about that looks like something you’d like to do. If so, reading such publications will help you understand what skills or qualifications you need to work in that field.
[See: The 25 Best Social Services Jobs of 2017.]
Follow Industry Influencers. There are a lot of industry thought leaders and CEOs blogging and putting content out there these days with all kinds of advice. While their word isn’t gospel, it can be inspiring to read about their challenges and successes. If there are particular people you admire, follow them on social media, subscribe to their blog or listen to their podcasts.
Talk to Successful Individuals. Many of us shy away from asking successful people for their guidance because we imagine they are extraordinarily busy and don’t have time for us. While that may be true, some of the most successful people enjoy hearing from people who admire them and offering advice. They will attribute their success to engaging with accomplished professionals early in their career, or having a great mentor. Many want to pay it forward. Ask to take the person to lunch or coffee to learn about their career. As long as you listen more than talk, it will be a fruitful conversation. These chats can trigger great ideas for you about what you could be doing in your future.
[See: 10 Ways Social Media Can Help You Land a Job.]
Keep a Journal. As you explore new areas and talk to successful people, write down all quotes and thoughts in a designated journal or file. Return to it often — on the weekend, when you feel down about your job or when you’re reminded of something you read or someone said. New ideas will generate over time as you make clear connections between what you’re reading and speaking about with others. Having all of the key pieces of your exploration on paper will enable you to connect those dots. It won’t happen immediately, but you will begin to see threads as time goes on that will help you figure out where you want to go next and how you can achieve those goals.
Taking yourself out of your normal routine is essential for innovation. Since we can’t be on vacation all of the time, engaging in activities that are outside of our usual realm inspires us to think differently and come up with new ideas for our future. The day to day can wear on us and cause us to not pursue goals. By taking steps to read and listen to new perspectives, we can get a step closer to making a change for the better.
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What Can I Do Now to Achieve My Career Goals? originally appeared on usnews.com
