You dream about a bright future for your career. But getting from the job you’re in now to the position you’d like to be in can seem daunting, especially if your hard work isn’t recognized and you've passed over for promotions.
Advancing your career is possible, no matter what your current circumstances. But you’re the only one who can bring about the progress you hope to see.
Set short- and long-term goals. Begin by asking yourself where you see yourself next year and even five years from now. Once you have answers to those questions you can begin to put a plan in place that will serve as your roadmap to success. The plan should include milestones that will help you keep focused and stay on track.
Be realistic. Acknowledge that your success and failure is your responsibility. If your goals are realistic and achievable, then the only thing preventing you from achieving them is you.
Don’t go it alone. Enlisting support from others is key. Once you have established your goals, communicate them to those who can help you achieve them. Because none of us operates in a vacuum, communicate openly and honestly with your family and other people in your life who will be affected by your lifestyle changes. The more you involve people into your goals, the more support you’ll receive.
Stay confident. Don’t let fear zap your confidence and limit your progress; take action. Once you start to experience success on your way to a better career, you’ll naturally become more confident—and others will notice. They will regard you as someone who may be ready to take on additional responsibility.
Look for ways to grow. Seek opportunities to try new things: within your organization, within your community, or through networking and professional groups. Volunteer for projects and committees. You can broaden your perspective of the many possible jobs out there for you by networking with people beyond just your own department at work. Don’t limit yourself—there are men and women who may have critical pieces of knowledge or experience that you need at different times.