It’s never too Early to do something that matters
When planning out your career, you always want to think with the end in mind. This means paying attention to how today will affect your ultimate goals. Most people who have successful careers are asked at some point, “How did you get here? What steps did you take to end up on top?” Ideally, everyone would know their true calling early in life and find happiness in their work, but it often doesn't work that way. Every action you take and each relationship you build will impact your future. While it’s very important to look ahead when planning your career, it’s also necessary to think about how living in the moment will help you accomplish your career goals.
Career planning is not an activity that should be done once — in high school or college — and then left behind as we move forward in our jobs and careers. Rather, career planning is an activity that is best done on a regular basis. It’s never too soon or too late to start your career planning. Career planning is not a hard activity, not something to be dreaded or put off, but rather an activity that should be fulfilling, rewarding and a positive experience. Take a moment to think about where you are in your career today. Are you in school or in the college? Are you looking for an entry-level position? Wherever you are in your current path, it’s important to pay attention to your daily actions and analyse how they will impact the future of your career.
Be proactive with your career goals: If your career goals include climbing the ladder in your profession or simply finding a rewarding job, do something every day to work towards accomplishing your career goals. It’s important to find a balance between looking ahead into the future of your career and being proactive with your career goals in the present. This balance will help you stay focused on finding a new job, gaining more experience, or developing your skills.
Make a Career Plan: As with most things, your career will benefit if you have goals and a plan for it. Map out where you want to go, with concrete milestones, as if it were a four-phase project. If you do not know where to go any road will take you there.
Make Career Planning an Annual Event: Many of us have our annual health checkup’s, so why not career planning? Find a day or weekend once a year, try to block out all distractions so that you have the time to truly focus on your career. By making career planning an annual event, you will feel more secure in your career choice and direction and you’ll be better prepared for the many uncertainties and difficulties that lie ahead.
Reflect on Your Likes and Dislikes: Everything changes, as do our likes and dislikes. Make a two-column list of your major likes and dislikes. Then use this list to examine your current career path. Take the time to really think about what it is you want or need from your work, from your career. Take the time to understand the motives that drive your sense of success and happiness. Planning your career involves a commitment to rolling with the changes as best you can. Often it involves, not being afraid of new challenges. Career building is only possible if you refuse to be shadowed by the changes going on around you.
Make Note of Your Past Accomplishments: Most people don’t keep a very good record of work accomplishments and then struggle with creating a powerful resume when it’s time to search for a new job. Sometimes reviewing your past accomplishments will reveal forgotten successes, one or more which may trigger researching and planning a career shift so that you can be in a job that allows you to accomplish the types of things that make you happiest and proud.
Set yourself up for success: If you’re searching for your first job, what are you doing every day to help advance your career? Are you taking the time to develop your personal brand? Are you making the most of relationships that cross your path? When planning your career, it’s important to understand how your daily career habits can affect your overall career. It’s extremely important to carry yourself with confidence and to have a positive attitude. The way you present yourself every day can impact the connections you make. By investing time every day in developing your professional image, you will begin to lead yourself to more opportunities.
Have an open mind: Most successful people can identify various points along their path at which they were presented with the prospect of doing something they had never anticipated. Be focused on your path and don’t shy away from new challenges or from going outside your comfort zone. Many people look at a new opportunity and if they don’t think they’re ready or meet all the qualifications, they turn it down. Believe it or not, opportunities can happen at any time, but you have to make yourself available for doors to open.
Choose a productive habit: Make it your goal to do something productive for your career every day. For example, make it a goal to read one career development book per month. By taking these little steps each day, you will develop new habits that will set you up for success down the road. Not only will you improve yourself as a professional, but you will continue to learn what you want out of your career and develop your goals. By adding positive habits to your daily routine, you will notice yourself increasing productivity and a positive self-image.
Sometimes when planning your career, it’s easy to forget about living in the moment. Whether you’re concerned about reaching a particular goal or landing your dream job, you must live in the moment to effectively plan out your career. Every single action you take and each person you talk to has the potential to change your career in ways you could have never imagined. By living in the moment, you are allowing yourself to be open to new ideas and opportunities, which can lead you closer to the career path you desire.
Manu Anand
Director Alpha Mindz, Goa