Having a successful career is high on the list of desires for most people, and understandably so. We spend a lot of time working, and we want to feel like we are successful, like we are spending our time in a way that makes us feel good and is in line with our values. When we think of ‘’success,’’ we tend to think of money, but I think most of us would broaden that definition to include being happy, being fulfilled and feeling like we are doing something of value. If you are a bit adrift right now, and are wondering how to achieve success in the professional realm of your life, here are three tips to help you do just that.
What Drives You?
It is easy to fall into the trap of a job that gives you very little fulfillment because it provides a steady paycheck. People get sucked in, and then get too scared to leave. Before you jump into a career, give some careful thought as to what drives you. What are your interests? What do you value? What sort of work would make you feel fulfilled and offer a sense of purpose? Remember that being successful is not just about making a lot of money or having a fancy job title. Stay true to yourself. You will not feel like much of a success if you have a job you can barely tolerate, or one that goes against your values.
Be Willing to Work on Yourself
The people who find the greatest success in life are those who are willing to work on themselves, the ones who make a serious effort at personal development. You may look at yourself now, and see a bunch of limitations, things that will hold you back. But, guess what? None of this stuff is encoded in your DNA and unchangeable; these beliefs, habits and behaviors can be eradicated or modified. You can become a better person, a person to whom success flows. Do an honest evaluation of the things that may be holding you back from succeeding professionally and vow to work on them. The goal is not becoming some perfect person, it is about becoming better.
Make Time for Success
Poor time management is the downfall of many when it comes to succeeding life, either personally or professionally. Successful people are good at managing their time. They are picky about how they spend their precious minutes. If you want to be more successful in life, you have to be willing to make more time for it. That may mean giving up some lower-energy, albeit fun activities, for ones that will help advance you. You might need to watch less TV and spend more time reading books about self-improvement or inspiring successful people. It might mean spending less time at the bar, and more time tending to your physical and mental health. Many people lament their station in life, yet are doing next to nothing to change it. You have to evaluate whether you may be one of these people.
Kelli Cooper is a freelance writer who enjoys writing about success strategies; she really likes gleaning inspirations from people who are thriving professionally, such as Touraj Vedadi, who provides interesting insight into the relationship between golf and business success.