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TRANSFORMING
YOUR CAREER
What we achieve, what
we aspire to achieve
and what we settle
for in life, starts in
our minds. Your mindset can either
be a springboard to help maximise
your potential, or it can hinder your
progress. The analogy of a cup being
half empty or full epitomises how
people approach situations.
A positive mindset looks at possibilities
and constantly sees opportunities to
increase capacity, while a negative
mindset focuses on the void and often
looks for excuses or seeks to blame
others for the void. It is important we
adopt a positive mindset in order to
transform our careers and future proof
them against the storms of life.
Here are 5 steps to apply to aid the
transformation of your career.
STEP 1 – Devise a career development
plan: Plans are not limited to
businesses, we need to appreciate the
need to plan for a successful career.
If you fail to steer your career in the
direction you choose, its course is
likely to be determined by others.
Always start with the end in mind
and work backward. Identify what
it is that you want to accomplish and
where you want to be in 5 or 10 years
time. Whether it is running your own
business or getting to the top of the
ladder in your sector, it won’t happen
accidentally. You need to plan. Effective
planning is quite simply about setting
goals which need to be SMART.
The S in the mnemonic stands for
specific; you need to be able to define
your goal.
M is measurable you cannot manage
a goal that can’t be measured as this
will enable you to know when it is
accomplished.
The A means your goal must also be
Achievable. Whilst your goal should
be stretching it must be something
that you personally can attain. It must
also be Realistic and relevant to your
future ambitions. Lastly, an effective
goal must have a Timeframe attached
to it. You should set short, medium and
long-term goals. Your plan should be
written down, pass the SMART test and
be reviewed regularly. Achieving shortterm
goals will spur you on to achieve
the medium and longer-term goals.
Don’t wait until the New Year to map
your career goals!
STEP 2 - Identify your strengths and
address your weaknesses: Businesses
analyse their internal environment
by determining their strengths and
weaknesses. Individuals also need to
be fully aware of these. A strength can
be anything you do exceptionally well
either because it is innate and a natural
gifting or because it is something you
have worked hard to achieve. In short,
your strength should make you stand
out from the crowd.
There should not be a mismatch
between your strengths and your career
goals. Your passion is demonstrated in
something you would be willing to do
if money weren’t an issue, something
you can never tire of that puts a smile
on your face.
WINNING WAYS MAGAZINE 27