Do you have big career goals? Are you finding it challenging to make sure your career path stays on track? Are you putting in the work to make your career dreams a reality?
A career path can quickly go off the rails if you don’t follow some ground rules about a career.
By following these fundamental rules, you’ll stay on track, remain focused, and ensure your career dreams come true.
Career advancement may come in many forms, ranging from moving up the corporate ladder from individual contributor to a formal leader to taking on more responsibility in your current role.
How to ensure your stay on track with your career path
It would be helpful to have a framework to work into your daily life to ensure you stay on track with your career path.
You must develop a flexible plan for your career and understand the rules of a successful career. There are some fundamental things that all careers have in common.
There are five fundamental rules of moving up in your career. Let’s dive in.
1. Success is not guaranteed
Nothing in life is guaranteed. You can do things to improve your odds of being successful, but you don’t know how things will end up. We may think we know our future, but success is uncertain.
Keep trying things and learning from your successes and failures in your career.
Tweak your decision-making based on your past work experiences, and don’t overthink big decisions. When you consistently do things well in your career, you’ll have the best shot at success.
Nothing is handed to you on a silver platter in your career.
Remember that success doesn’t create happiness. Happiness creates success. If you seek success, be happy in what you do in your career and avoid being insecure about it.
A successful career doesn’t just happen overnight. It requires you to think about what you want and how to make it happen. The key to success is the discipline to work toward your goals.
2. Patience is key
Waiting for the right opportunity at your current employer or another employer is critical. You must know yourself and hold out for the right job that’s a good fit for you.
Unknown“Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.”
Please don’t take the first job offer that comes along because it offers excellent pay, benefits, and perks.
You must pick the right culture and work with people you like. Having friends at work is critical to your career success. Research says people are happier at work when they are friends with their colleagues.
3. Focus on what you can control and that’s excellent work
One of the best ways to increase the odds of moving up the ladder at work is by producing excellent work.
Focus on what you can control, and you’ll trigger positive emotions. That positive attitude will help you in your career.
“The secret of joy in work is contained in one word — excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.”
Pearl Buck, an American writer and novelist
You can control your attitude, effort, and actions every day.
When you focus on what you can handle at work, your thoughts will empower you to produce excellent work. You’ll be rewarded for that work and reputation that you built.
People notice who is doing their job well. Word gets around on who the top performers are and how they solve problems for their team and the company.
Top performers are persistent, ask intelligent questions, and see challenges as opportunities. The best way to move up is to be a top performer every year.
4. Be lucky by having the right mindset
“The harder you work, the luckier you get.”
Gary Player, a South African professional golfer
Research says that people who think they are lucky are actually lucky. You will need some luck in your career.
Lucky people have the right mindset and know that luck is about showing up at work every day and being exceptional.
“80% of success is showing up.”
Woody Allen, an American film director, writer, actor, and comedian
Lucky people smile twice as much as anyone else, make eye contact, and are more friendly than others.
They increase their chances of luck because they have an extensive career network, forge meaningful relationships with colleagues, and are ready to pounce on the right opportunity.
“The harder I work, the luckier I get.”
Samuel Goldwyn, an American-Polish film producer
5. Your new job won’t be like your old job
When you get promoted at work, you must learn new skills.
For example, your skills as an individual contributor won’t be the same skills you need as a leader.
Your new job will be different than your old job. Why? Because you’ll have more responsibilities. You’ll need to get things accomplished with the help of others.
“Management is nothing more than motivating people.”
Lee Iacocca, an American businessman
You may need to stop doing some things and start doing others.
In your new job, you’ll need to prove yourself again. You must seize new opportunities and be bold about making them happen.
Bringing it all together
There are five career rules you should live by to grow your career and ensure your career path stays on track. Remember, success is not guaranteed.
Have the right mindset to be lucky, and your new job won’t be like your old job.
Patience is key so focus on what you can control: excellent work.
“The path to success is to take massive, determined action.”
Tony Robbins, an American author, coach, speaker, and philanthropist
If you follow these rules, you’ll increase your odds of moving up in your career. Good luck!