Do you ever spend your time wishing things would happen in your career? You’re waiting to be noticed and promoted. Or you know a restructure might bring a new opportunity. But while you’re wishing and waiting for these things (that are often outside your control), time is passing. What if you were to make things happen in your career instead?
The concept of time really seem to have warped over the last few years. For many, suddenly three years have skipped past.
Reflecting on where you are today, compared to where you have been, is a great reminder of the importance of not squandering your most precious resource – your time – by limiting your progress.
What are you hoping you’ll have resolved by this time next year?
What are you putting up with right now that in 12 months time you’ll wish you’d dealt with sooner? You see, not only does that thing you’re thinking about but not doing not get done… but you’ll also have carried the mental load of not dealing with it for all that time as well. Double whammy!
So what’s going on with you that could perhaps be better? Are you feeling physically well, energised and motivated? Are your relationships supportive and meaningful? And, most importantly, do you get up everyday and do work you love, that fulfils and inspires you?
If not, why not?
It’s tempting to avoid doing things that seem scary and insurmountable, that might require effort or take a long time. But, guess what? The next year and the one after are going to pass anyway.
Are you waiting for something to happen? Something to turn up and get you moving? An epiphany or lightbulb moment? A knock at your door?
So… the bad news is, nothing and no-one is going to arrive with the answers. But, the great news is… you already have everything you need to make things happen for yourself. Yes… really.
Make things happen in your career
1. YOU NEED TO WANT IT… LIKE, REALLY WANT IT
Start by understanding the driver behind that thing you’re putting off. Is it something you really want or is it something you think you “should” do? And, if it’s something you want, why do you want it? The reason you want something needs to feel so important, you literally want to drop everything and get started straight away. If you’re not feeling that way… then perhaps it’s not something you really want.
2. BE PROACTIVE, NOT PASSIVE
Changing how you feel about things, or the actions you’ll take, starts with thinking differently to the way you’re thinking now. Begin by accepting responsibility and taking ownership. This gives you the power to decide to make things happen rather than letting other people or circumstances become your excuses for continuing to wait. Waiting is passive and rarely leads to progress. Become more proactive by making intentional and purposeful decisions.
3. NAME YOUR FEARS
There’s never going to be a perfect time and you’re never going to be completely ready. Identify and name the things that are holding you back and then add… “then I’ll…[insert how you’ll deal with this]”. For example, “I’m worried I’ll make the wrong decision and it won’t work out… then I’ll… reflect on the lessons learned and do things differently next time”. Or, “What if I’m impacted financially… then I’ll… make sure I have a reasonable safety net in place before I get started and set myself limits to work within”.
4. GET UNCOMFORTABLE
There’s no reward without risk and taking risks can be uncomfortable. But by not engaging in new experiences, you limit the opportunity for growth and progress. Being comfortable is nice, there’s nothing wrong with it really… but beware the point at which it becomes complacency. Are you comfortable? Or are you stuck in a habit or routine? If you’re dissatisfied, you’re already uncomfortable… so which is worse, the known discomfort of an unhappy situation or the perceived discomfort of a new experience?
5. CONSISTENCY IS KEY
So, here’s the thing about helpful (and unhelpful) habits… they’re subject to compound effect. When you start, the impact is often so imperceptible it feels like nothing is happening… then all of a sudden you realise you’ve achieved something big. You write a little everyday and then suddenly you’ve written a book. You start making contacts and learning about an industry you’d love to work in and all of a sudden opportunities appear as if from nowhere. One small positive action on a regular basis and then all of a sudden… success.
Imagine if you could achieve something truly significant by this time next year… would that make it worth taking one small step today? If the change you’re waiting to make relates to your career, there’s never been a better time than right now to get started and if you need some support to making it happen for you, I’m here to help.