Are you thinking about what you want from your career? Are you reevaluating it because you are not growing? Have you discovered new passions or a renewed wish to do something else in your career?
Now is an excellent time to think about how to grow your career.
- Is a promotion available?
- Am I truly satisfied in my current role?
- Am I happy at my company?
You are asking yourself these questions, and for good reason.
Perhaps you have discovered new interests. You recognized the value of meaningful connections with your colleagues at work. You want a better work-life balance.
It’s no secret that employees today want more control of their work and life.
They want more choices about where and when to work. More employees realize that now is an excellent time to figure out their careers.
- Growth.
- Meaning.
- Satisfaction.
They are all achievable today.
It starts by searching for what you want from your career.
Three simple yet powerful questions to grow your career
There are three essential questions you should ask yourself to help you grow your career successfully. Let’s dive into them right now.
1. What types of experiences do you want at work?
Work can provide you with a wide range of experiences. You can experience the highs and lows in your professional life, which will benefit your success.
You’ll gain confidence with both. Your tough times will make you more successful. Your happy times will show that work can provide a lot of joy in your life.
“I think everyone should experience defeat at least once during their career. You learn a lot from it.”
Lou Holtz, a former American football player, coach, and analyst
Companies are shifting toward a work-from-anywhere policy and rethinking the employee experience. It would help if you did the same.
- What do you want to experience at work?
- Do you want to travel the world?
- Work in a foreign country?
- Climb the corporate ladder?
- Create meaningful connections with co-workers?
- Have the flexibility to do work anytime?
- Does your company have a sense of purpose that it is giving back to society?
- Fewer roadblocks at work so you can get more done?
- Do you want more challenges to grow?
You should set your priorities for what you want to experience at work.
Decide how that fits into your flexible career and life plan. Your future is uncertain, so you must plan for it. You should know what experiences you want at work to grow your career.
2. How would you like to grow in your career?
What you can control is growth. You can say “yes” to more development opportunities. Consider taking more training and earning another degree.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States
You can become a mentor and/or mentee. You can work on your leadership skills.
Future-proof your career with skill development and stay up-to-date on the latest tools and technologies.
Your growth starts by figuring out what you want to achieve. Assess your strengths and weaknesses.
Devote time to your personal development by continuing your education in school or through free and paid certifications.
Ask your boss for a more significant challenge.
There are many ways you can advance your career. Consider becoming a content creator. Work on building your portfolio. Learn in your personal life, so you can apply in your professional life.
3. What does a career really mean to you?
Your career is your professional journey of work experiences over time. It’s the sum of all the jobs (paid or unpaid) you have had in your life.
“Find out what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it.”
Katherine Whitehorn, a British journalist
Mostly, a career is about earning money for yourself and your family.
However, a career can be more than making money.
A career means something different to you than it does to others.
- There’s a side to a career where your worth is determined by other people (your position in society).
- The other side concerns your beliefs and values. It’s about doing what you enjoy (aka your passions).
Few people have the right career choice from the start and stay in the same field for a lifetime. Most people evolve their careers as they progress.
A career means entering the workforce after some schooling. It also involves earning more money or a promotion. Balancing work and life is another aspect.
Or it means starting a second career in a different field.
Have you thought long and hard about what a career means to you?
Bringing it all together
There are three essential questions to ask yourself to help you grow your career successfully.
- What types of experiences do you want at work?
- How would you like to grow in your career?
- What does a career really mean to you?
Career development is about owning it and asking yourself what you want from your career.
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
Confucius, a Chinese philosopher
Your career doesn’t just happen; it just doesn’t happen overnight.
It requires you to think about what you want and how to make it happen.
Join my email newsletter for a free eBook and more helpful insights.