Career Development: Going from good to great !

With so much uncertainty around these days it is no wonder that levels of personal anxiety are running high. It can seem a tough goal just to keep going ! Why therefore would anyone set themselves a challenge to raise the bar even higher and commit to going waaay past good and work on becoming truly great ? That's great in terms of career development but also great overall - in all aspects of your life.

I am attracted to the philosophy that none of us will ever be the best we can be if pressure, tension and discipline are taken out of our lives. Think about it. There's just no point in being half hearted. It's so much easier to work joyfully when we are able to display total passion and commitment to the focus of our efforts - energy flows freely and enthusiasm is off the scale ! 

There's no escaping it : we get paid for performing - whether in corporate life or running our own business. If you don't like what you do, or something about it bothers you, then chances are you won't have as much energy and you won't perform as well. Your career development will be limited.

If ''attitude is all'' - where to start ? 

An evaluation of current circumstances might well involve finally confronting the feeling of being trapped in a golden cage, being bored rigid but too scared to move on, even worry about job security with a future employer on the basis ''better the devil you know'' and hence feeling held back by as yet imagined fears.

Lack of clarity about future direction and uncertainty in the steps to take to get there can also be huge blockages. Yet with time, honest reflection and creativity the tough challenges we all face are eminently capable of being worked through, raising confidence and drive to produce appropriate outcomes.

My own working life has been long and winding - with highly successful and enjoyable phases interspersed with other not quite so pleasant memories too!

Like ants : never give up, look ahead, stay positive and do all you can to achieve your goals. 

Author:

Mary Cope is a Position Ignition Career Guide. She works with individuals across all industry sectors and functions to fulfil their best, unique potential. After a long, successful career leading Human Resources in global companies Mary uses her deep knowledge and wide experience to help others fashion their most fulfilling careers and lives. Mary is a Fellow of the Institute of Personnel and Development, holds an MBA and accreditations in career counselling and self development. She is a mother of 3 and loves walking in the countryside. Her favourite quote is '' Winners never quit, quitters never win !''  ( Vincent Thomas Lombardi ) 

Comments

[Martin]

You make a great point, starting with the correct attitude and then being focused on specific goals at the same time as not to feel trapped in a single mind-set and allowing your self to thing and "do" the things that you normally would brush under the carpet.

Thanks