Nobody likes stagnation. We all want to move up and forward in life, especially when it comes to our careers. For many, professional growth and career advancement are metrics of success. Whether or not you believe that success is measured by promotion or salary raise, being recognized for your hard work brings a rewarding feeling.
If you are planning to achieve specific professional goals this new year and wish to accelerate your career, here are 5 growth strategies you should consider.
- Learn new skills.
Whether it’s graphic designing, business presentation, or advanced Excel skills, gaining new knowledge can help you broaden your focus and expertise. You don’t want to be stuck in using MS Paint for editing photos, would you?
As technology keeps on advancing year after year, so should your skills and areas of expertise. Make sure to find the time, perhaps 2 to 4 hours every week, to simply read about a new skill and practice doing it. Learning new things will not only help you gain new experiences, it will also make you more adaptable to the changes that could happen in your workplace.
- Develop positive work habits.
As the new year arrives, it’s time to get rid of unhealthy work habits and welcome positive ones that will benefit your career. Some examples of bad habits to change include coming to work late, making excuses, not hitting deadlines, procrastinating, and not being productive. Develop these new and healthy ones instead:
- Arrive to work early and in an invigorating mood.
- Work fast and productively, without unnecessary interruptions.
- Fulfill your commitments and finish your work on or before the deadline.
- Take initiative.
By developing and maintaining positive work habits, you can contribute more to the organization, increase you job satisfaction rating, and develop better relationships with your colleagues. All these can help drive your success.
- Ask for help.
It is okay to admit that you don’t know everything and seeking for help can actually help. Rather than looking at asking for help as a sign of weakness, take it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Take advantage of training, seminars, and conferences available in and outside the workplace. These are great platforms to get advice and seek help for disciplines you may not be very familiar with. Getting a coach or a mentor is also another way of developing yourself by asking for help.
By following these professional growth strategies, you are building yourself up for growth and career advancement. Not only you will achieve higher levels of success in the workplace, you will also definitely get ahead in life.
