The Secrets to Pursuing Your Vision of Career Success

There is Work Involved

Having a rewarding career depends upon pursuing your vision of professional success. As I always say, you have to “create your career.”

You don’t want to spend your precious days on earth trying to live up to the expectations of others or mindlessly drifting from one job to the next.

Success means different things to people.

You must create your definition of success. For some, it’s a matter of earning more money and climbing the corporate ladder. For others, it’s more about stretching their skills and contributing to society. For some, it is retiring at a certain age and traveling the world on a cruise ship (that would be me).

You can create a satisfying work-life and build the dream career you want, one that you can be proud of.

Use this checklist to plan your future and put your plans into action.

Planning for Career Success

Identify your strengths. Strengths are one of my favorite topics. I have taken many strength-based assessments. My favorite is the VIA Institute Character Strengths assessment. You are required to create a free account, and the assessment is free to take. You will receive a print out of your 24 character strengths.

The beautiful thing about character strengths is that they encompass the whole person; therefore, you can use them in all areas of your life.

One of my top five is Love of Learning, I use this to my advantage to learn different skill sets to enhance my career.

Think about your top 5 strengths and how you can apply them.

“There is little that can withstand a man who can conquer himself.”- Louis XIV

Set specific goals. Create your version of the Vroom’s Expectancy Theory, in simple terms this theory states if I do “X,” I will get the “X” reward or an “expected” outcome.

Industrial and Organizational psychologists love to use this theory in the workplace, to assess what motivates workers.

Create goals that will motivate you and allow you to evaluate your progress. As you achieve your goal, evaluate if you received what you expected as this is what motivated you in the first place.

For example, I set monthly goals in my Michael Hyatt planner. After I complete the goal, such as a writing 25 articles a month, I expect an outcome of being a better writer than I was a month ago.

Make sure you set realistic short and long term goals that are challenging, but feasible.

Address obstacles. You may find that you need some additional resources to complete your goals. No one is perfect; we all have areas we can continuously improve in.

Figure out what’s holding you back and how you’ll overcome it. You can hire a coach, seek counseling, take a class, or read a book.

I am a coach, therefore I believe in having a coach. I am always seeking advice from those who are more seasoned than myself.

Consider your brand. What makes you unique?

Why would someone buy from you? Or hire you?

Understanding your brand will help you market yourself better. Create an understanding of what you stand for and the audience you’re trying to reach.

My main audience are 9–5 working women who are in transition, or somehow lost their identity in their roles. My blog The Working Woman.co is a part of my brand.

“I take my brand very seriously.”-Steve Harvey

Think ahead. Career planning is an ongoing process that requires more than keeping your resume updated.

I always recommend clients to keep their resume or CV ready. Opportunity will knock, and you want to answer the door and show them what you are made of.

Always act as if, meaning, act as if you have the job you desire.

I was recently hired for one of my dream jobs, I immediately updated my resume with my new job tasks and roles.

Write it down. Put your career plan on paper. Get your career desires out of your mind and in a journal.

I am a HUGE fan of journaling. I have a plan for EVERYTHING, especially my career.

Purchase one today and make sure you write what you want, be clear and concise.

Implementing Your Career Plan

Manage your life. Block out space in your calendar for activities essential to your goals. When you have a plan you are trying to accomplish, you cannot do what everyone else is doing.

You will need to manage your life; notice I did not say time, we cannot manage time, it will not stop for you, it keeps moving regardless.

I have certain nights I like to watch television, because I know one of my favorite shows is airing that night, so I will plan for it.

Managing your life is serious when you have goals you are trying to accomplish.

Maximize your network. Build a strong network where you can share practical and moral support. I can’t tell you how important this is. I love that I have people I can talk to about business ideas or career moves.

I recommend building a LinkedIn profile if you have not done so already. You should post regularly and stay abreast of what is going on in your desired industry. Ask others for help when you need it. Be generous with sharing information and referrals.

I have gained coaching clients, subscribers to my blog, and people to interview on my YouTube Talk Show all because I stay active with my network.

Learn from others. Take someone to lunch, ask someone for a coaching session, or set time to research for mentors you may want to engage with.

The benefit of listening to the experience of others is worth the time and money. I have done this multiple times, via online courses, podcasts, books, conferences, meet-ups, lunches, and meetings.

Find out what they do and how they do it, and then add your brand spin to it.

Most people love to talk about their lives and careers, so sit, listen, and take notes. Success always leaves clues.

Build your qualifications. Seek opportunities for education and training. Take certification courses online and in person at your nearest community college.

Become a life-long learner.

“The ability to learn is the most important quality a leader can have.” — Sheryl Sandberg

I love to read. I was happy when I discovered Bill Gates carries a bag of books everywhere he goes, as I do the same.

Increase your visibility. Promote yourself by volunteering for committees at the local chapter of your professional association. If you are not a member of your local chapter of the industry you prefer, I suggest you join ASAP.

There is an industry association for the majority of fields out there, find yours, join, and volunteer for leadership roles.

For example, I am an active member of the Junior League and the Association of Talent Development.

Negotiate your compensation package. Once you are confident on the career field you desire, research the current salary data.

Does this industry pay the compensation you desire?

Think about your “why” when it comes to compensation. Do you want to do this job for the money, joy or both?

What are the fringe benefits that are important to you, such as childcare, retirement plans, or flexible hours?

My dream job I recently accepted covered each area I planned for: compensation, fringe benefits, academia, coaching, training, content creation, writing, and much more.

Know what you want so you can negotiate if needed.

Take risks. If you want to excel in any career, you must take a chance on yourself; you must believe you have the capabilities to perform the job, this is called self-efficacy.

You will need to move beyond your comfort zone.

For my recent job, the recruiter asked me what made me apply for the job, I said “I took a chance on myself and believed I was the right person for the job.”

I acted as if.

Stay positive. Trust me; you will get NOWHERE if you are a negative thinker.

“You become what you believe.”- Oprah Winfrey

What are you focusing on?

Your professional career may last 50 years or more, so a cheerful and positive attitude will help you persevere.

Yes, you will have days you are feeling down, I have them as well. To help combat those days I remember my “why,” which is to achieve whole life sustainability.

Create a career that enables you to do what you love and achieve harmony in your personal and professional life.

Start planning today so you can make decisions based on your values and goals.