For some of you senior sport fans, I believe that you will remember quite vividly the following event: For years, the opening of �The Wide World of Sports� television program illustrated �The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat� with a painful ending to an attempted ski jump by Vinko Bogataj, a Slovenian ski jumper. Vinko appeared in good form as he headed down the jump, but then, for no apparent reason, he tumbled head over heels off the side of the jump bouncing off the supporting structure.
What viewers didn�t know was that he chose to fall rather than finish the jump. Why? As he explained later, the jump surface had become too fast, and midway down the ramp, he realized if he completed the jump, he would land on the level ground, beyond the safe sloping landing area, which could have been fatal. As it was, Vinko suffered no more than a headache from the tumble.
To change one�s course in life can be a dramatic and sometimes painful undertakingfor change brings along with it consequences.
Look how frequently individuals change jobs during their careers. A study according to the Economic News Release stated that the median number of years that wage and salary workers have worked for their current employer is currently 4.6 years before they decide to move along (either voluntary or involuntary). However, this longevity varies by age and occupation: the median tenure for workers age 25 to 34 is 3.2 years. What this means is that the average worker currently holds ten different jobs before reaching age forty.
However, there are those workers that have a sincere desire to run a marathon with their company instead of just a sprint. They chose their company for a �career� opportunity and not a �place to work until a real job comes along�.So, what can one do to establish a solid foundation on which to build their future career plans?
Here are several tips for career survival:
Chase your passion. You have to ask yourself, �What is it that I desire to achieve? What stokes the fire within me?� If what you are doing is part of that answer, you�re on the right path. If you are anything but passionate and joyful about your work, if you ever ask yourself, �why am I going to work?�, no doubt it is time to consider a new career path.
Augment your skill set. Keep abreast of workplace skills that are in demand and are must haves. Interpersonal skills (social and soft skills) will always rank high on the top of this list). Today, those in supervisory positions need to be able to develop and motivate teams from different generational segments.
Volunteer for new projects and assignments. This will be an excellent way to expand your network of contacts throughout the organization as well as demonstrate your flexibility in becoming involved in multiple tasks. If there are charitable community projects being organized, become an active member, even consider a leadership role.
Make a choice, become a generalist or a specialist. Focus on becoming one or the other, but not both. Generalists work well with the big picture and the integration of business objectives, where specialists add depth of knowledge and implementation of the strategic plan. Choose which discipline best suites your skill set. Evaluate your strengths and the needs of your organization, and market yourself accordingly. Which ever you choose, make sure you will be stretching yourself.
Think of yourself as self-sustaining. Bottom line is that the person with the overall responsibility for your career growth, future achievements, and happiness is you. Take your growth, professional development and fulfillment seriously.
Stay in touch with reality. Remain aware of world and industry events that will impact your industry and you personally. Read and research often anddiscuss with colleagues, as well as people outside your sphere of influence your findings. Share insights. Continue to make connections.
Reinvent yourself when necessary. Adapt, adjust, conform, and acclimate.
Adopt anunceasing learning attitude. Approach all new assignments, tasks, duties, ventures, and projects with excitement for learning. Approach everything with a �can-do� attitude. This type of attitude is contagious.
Have a question about what you�ve read? Let�s chat with Dr. Clark at [email protected]
Article adapted from �Tips for Career Survival�. Personal Decisions International
Here are several tips for career survival:
Chase your passion. You have to ask yourself, �What is it that I desire to achieve? What stokes the fire within me?� If what you are doing is part of that answer, you�re on the right path. If you are anything but passionate and joyful about your work, if you ever ask yourself, �why am I going to work?�, no doubt it is time to consider a new career path.
Augment your skill set. Keep abreast of workplace skills that are in demand and are must haves. Interpersonal skills (social and soft skills) will always rank high on the top of this list). Today, those in supervisory positions need to be able to develop and motivate teams from different generational segments.
Volunteer for new projects and assignments. This will be an excellent way to expand your network of contacts throughout the organization as well as demonstrate your flexibility in becoming involved in multiple tasks. If there are charitable community projects being organized, become an active member, even consider a leadership role.
Make a choice, become a generalist or a specialist. Focus on becoming one or the other, but not both. Generalists work well with the big picture and the integration of business objectives, where specialists add depth of knowledge and implementation of the strategic plan. Choose which discipline best suites your skill set. Evaluate your strengths and the needs of your organization, and market yourself accordingly. Which ever you choose, make sure you will be stretching yourself.
Think of yourself as self-sustaining. Bottom line is that the person with the overall responsibility for your career growth, future achievements, and happiness is you. Take your growth, professional development and fulfillment seriously.
Stay in touch with reality. Remain aware of world and industry events that will impact your industry and you personally. Read and research often anddiscuss with colleagues, as well as people outside your sphere of influence your findings. Share insights. Continue to make connections.
Reinvent yourself when necessary. Adapt, adjust, conform, and acclimate.
Adopt anunceasing learning attitude. Approach all new assignments, tasks, duties, ventures, and projects with excitement for learning. Approach everything with a �can-do� attitude. This type of attitude is contagious.
Have a question about what you�ve read? Let�s chat with Dr. Clark at [email protected]
Article adapted from �Tips for Career Survival�. Personal Decisions International
