2017 – A Time To Get Focused
Posted by
I hope the last 2 weeks since my last article have been productive and that your career has not once again gone onto the back-burner! There is a real danger that this can happen as the pace of work speeds up. If this happens, you could start 2018 in the same place as today. So today’s article covers reminders that you can use as a prompt to take your career forward. And importantly, don’t just read, think “that’s great information” and move on – great information doesn’t move your career forward but great action!
So, to start off on the right foot – what are you going to do this week to take action and find the opportunities around you?
So, to start off on the right foot – what are you going to do this week to take action and find the opportunities around you?
- Think about what change is happening over the coming months. Some people are threatened by organisational change, whereas I always view it as a great opportunity. It tends to throw up new ways of working, new structures and sometimes even new roles. But at the very least, it’s a way of expanding your job that can lead to additional responsibilities. It provides ways that you can show people how committed you are. Also, don’t wait for change to happen – create it, or see where it’s happening and offer to get involved.
- Think about what isn’t working. In your area of work or your department, what are the things that have never worked, cause frustration for everyone, or are just problematic? Try to find some time over the next couple of months to tackle some of those issues. Sometimes taking a thorn out of the department’s paw is enough to gain the attention of senior management – and it’s great to develop a reputation for being a productive problem solver. Tackling tough problems makes you more visible and more valued – and opportunities can arise as a result!
- Think about your network and the people you know. Hopefully you used Christmas as a great way to get back in touch with people you know or you haven’t seen in a while. Christmas cards are a great way to do that – or even just dropping a quick email to wish people a Merry Christmas or Happy New Year and reconnect on a personal level. The New Year is a great time for talking about the future and sharing your resolutions and aspirations for the year – this might prompt people to suggest opportunities to you. The bottom line is that reactivating your network doesn’t have to be daunting. Moving forward, maybe you could set a target that in 2017 you will reacquaint yourself with 20% of the people you are connected with in LinkedIn? Just remember (importantly) to start with old managers and people you were once really close to – they’re the people who likely know you best and have the most interest in helping you.
- Think about what you are going to be known for in 2017. In 12 months’ time when you’re looking back, what will be the thing that your manager and colleagues are going to be talking about you having achieved? Will it be doing your day job really well, or is there going to be something name-making that you can point to that you will have delivered this year? Set a target now, and work towards achieving it throughout the year.
- Put action in your calendar. Perhaps a Monday reminder – ‘What career action will I take this week?’ Perhaps setting 30 minutes for making some calls to old contacts? Perhaps schedule a career conversation over lunch with a buddy or a senior manager? Review the week ahead. Who will you be meeting, who will be in the office – can you use these opportunities for catch-ups, and for sharing your thinking about what you want for the future? Remember that the more people who know what you want, the more likely it is that they will point you at your next great career move.