The world is competitive. Many people aspire to succeed. You will have to work hard to get your share of the pie and build a successful career.

“The future depends on what you do today.”

Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian leader

Are you giving careful thought to what you need to do to achieve success?

Advancing your career can take many forms.

Your goal is to reach a management level or achieve independence through freelancing. You launch an agency, create a new company from scratch, or have a strong wish to work fewer hours.

Whatever you want to do, are you asking yourself:

• What can I do differently to advance my career?
• Is my mindset holding me back?
• Do I have a mental block that is hindering my development?

There are some specific things you can do consistently to cultivate and build a successful career. You don’t have to roll the dice or get lucky to advance your career.

Things to do today to build a successful career

Here are seven simple yet powerful tips to help you build and achieve a successful career.

1. Become a content creator

A content creator is someone who produces entertaining or educational content. They meet an audience’s needs by answering their questions. They also make them laugh and bring them delight.

A content creator can have a blog, take photos, or produce videos.

• Do you have a blog?
• What about a YouTube channel?
• Do you have an email newsletter?

The value is shifting toward content creators who show their knowledge online by building a loyal audience.

When you know how to create content well, you know how to think well.

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.”

Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple

Content creation helps you organize your ideas. It helps you understand what works with your target audience.

Additionally, it helps you connect with other like-minded individuals who can support you.

As a content creator, make sure you produce high-quality content that enhances your personal brand.

Through content, you create an online presence that makes your name more recognizable.

2. Be rare and valuable

Do you have an unmatched skillset? Is it hard to replace you? Can you use both sides of your brain (the right side for math and the left side for creativity)?

When you have a rare skill, you will have more opportunities. Autonomy and wealth come when you are rare and valuable.

“Every skill you acquire doubles your odds of success.”

 Scott Adams, an American artist and cartoonist

When you build on your strengths, you can become highly effective at work. Having complementary skills also contributes to being an “A player”.

For example, can you write well, master the stage, and shoot videos?

If you know your primary field of work and can market yourself effectively, you are a step ahead.

3. Build a portfolio, not just a resume

It’s nice to have a well-written resume. Still, with Google, you need to have more than an excellent resume.

People should be able to enter your full name. They should see a portfolio of work that shows off your talent. It should also show your speaking prowess and past projects.

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” 

Albert Einstein, one of the greatest physicists of all time

• Are you a thought leader on LinkedIn?
• Have you spoken at industry or business conferences, so you have a reel of your public speaking?
• Can you give a presentation that is like a TED Talk?

It’s always better to show than tell, especially in job interviews.

To rise to the top of the pack, you need to be more than a piece of paper.

It would be helpful to have a portfolio of skills. This should show your ability to walk the walk. It should also illustrate your ability to walk the talk.

For example, if you are in a marketing job, are you effectively marketing yourself?

4. Generate tons of ideas

Are you bringing many ideas to the table?

Whether that’s your current job or you are interviewing for a new job, putting forth tons of ideas is essential. It helps your current or future company succeed.

“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.”

Robin Williams, an American actor and comedian

• Are you demonstrating how your skillset can help businesses grow?
• If you are one of 100 candidates, do you stand out from the pack?
• Does your proactive plan outline how to bring ideas to life?
• Are you showing your boss all the extra work you are doing for the company’s benefit?

Too many professionals wait for direction. Don’t be reactive to what happens. Be proactive in your approach and create opportunities. 

The most challenging part that most companies face is where strategy meets execution.

If you can show your current and future employers that you can do both, you are miles above the rest.

Making ideas happen benefits you and your employer.

5. Learn things in your personal life so you can recommend them in your professional life

To advance your career, don’t think it has to happen all at work. Start a side hustle to discover how things work.

Figure out how to translate skills you learn in your personal life and how they can translate to your work.

If you were laid off tomorrow, would you survive?

“Find out what you like doing best, and get someone to pay you for it.” 

Katharine Whitehorn, a British journalist

A side business helps you enhance your career and passion outside of work. You have total control of what you do with this business.

The extra capital you earn from this business can give you more flexibility. It lets you leave your job one day. It also helps you overcome the setback of getting let go.

Additionally, the things you learn in this side hustle you can bring to work.

For example, if you set up a blog in your personal life, you’ll gain skills in setting up websites. You’ll also learn how to write well.

These skills allow you to recommend best practices for this at your company.

Companies need digital skills, especially in the wake of the global pandemic.

The confidence from launching a side business will impact your professional life. You will think more like an entrepreneur. This will drive innovation in your role.

You’ll have more ideas at work because you are generating them in your personal life.

This side hustle will give you structured flexibility. It will help you get ahead in your career. You are growing in both areas of your life.

6. Create your own job

Can you make a new job out of thin air?

Yes, if you earned the respect of your boss and your organization.

Every business faces challenges that are not being addressed, and it needs help tackling them.

When you are a top performer, you can pitch your ideas on what you can do to help your company.

“Opportunities don’t happen; you create them.” 

Chris Grosser, a sales consultant

You can create your own job when you have tons of valuable ideas and a rare skill set. You can create a new position with a lucrative salary when you take the initiative to better your company.

Look for ways to tweak your current job. You can also create a brand-new job that will solve your company’s most pressing problems.

7. Don’t work for the money, work to learn

If you focus on developing skills aligned with your interests, you’ll succeed.

Instead of prioritizing how much money you make initially, you’ll make more money in the long run.

If your passion doesn’t match what you work on, you won’t succeed.

“Don’t work for money; make it work for you.”

Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad

Don’t be so addicted to your salary that you don’t consider what else is out there. Don’t be afraid to quit your job and work as a full-time content creator.

Do things where your money works for you. You can create content once, and it’ll continue to generate revenue for you.

Don’t be an old employee who is a servant to your monthly paycheck.

You don’t need to be part of the corporate rat race to be successful.

Sure, you want to do that for a while, but that doesn’t mean you have to do it forever.

Don’t fall into the trap of going to work to pay the bills.

Money is an essential factor in your career, but it shouldn’t be the number one driving force.

Money and happiness don’t go hand in hand. The secret to success is happiness, not money.

Bringing it all together

There are seven simple yet powerful tips for building a successful career.

Become a content creator, be rare and valuable, and build a portfolio, not just a resume.

Generate tons of ideas. Learn in your personal life to recommend in your professional life. Create your own job. Don’t work for the money. Work to learn.

Building a successful career requires significant time and effort. Be patient. Get out of your comfort zone.

Have the courage to follow your own path. Consistency and commitment will ultimately help your career in the long term.

Remember, your boss and company are not responsible for your career.

You are responsible for the career brand called you.

Are you doing what it takes to be successful in today’s ultra-competitive world?

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