If you have found a career you enjoy – one that makes you feel good about what you are doing, highlights your talents, and makes you happy about going to work in the morning, you have taken a huge step in the right direction. Most of us want a great career. Not necessarily one that pulls a six-figure income, but one that we find fulfilling.Now that you have your career, it is time to commit to excelling at it. The amount of enjoyment you receive from your career, in fact, will be largely determined by how much commitment you give it. There are several ways you can go about ensuring you are giving your career the level of commitment it deserves.
- Work on Career Development: Make time during your day to engage in activities that will increase your success at work. Read books or trade magazines relating to your career, learn the latest trends or newest technologies. Take classes, attend seminars or conferences, and do everything you can to build your expertise.
Delve into the specifics of your chosen field. If there is one aspect you love more than the rest, make yourself an expert in that area and carve out a niche for yourself. Sometimes tackling the unusual and excelling at it can open the doors to possibilities you never before imagined. Once you have developed yourself as an expert, you will be amazed how many people will seek you out for assistance and advice. - Examine the Emotional Aspect of Your Career: Stay tuned to your feelings regarding the work you are doing. Discover the reasons why you find it appealing, take the time to enjoy the aspects of it you love or are proud of, and allow yourself the liberty to dislike those things that you find frustrating.
Take time to actively think about your feelings as they relate to work. If it helps, keep a log or journal and write in it every day. Use your journal to acknowledge and then leave behind any negative emotions you may be experiencing about your job. Also take the time to write out all of the positive things you enjoy. When you are having a bad day, go back and read your positive entries as a source of inspiration or motivation.
Somewhere in your journal, write down why you are glad you have your career, and all of the positive things it brings to your life. List your goals, so you can go back and use it as a reference. - Join a Professional Association: If there is an association of professionals from your chosen field in your town, join it and attend meetings on a regular basis. Networking can create opportunities down the road that you may not even be aware of right now. It also allows you to find out the latest in trends, technologies, or anything else that affects how you do business. Expanding your perspective beyond your office walls allows you a better chance to stay on top of the latest developments.
If there is no professional group in your area, join a regional one, or become involved in an organization such as Toastmasters, which will help you improve your public speaking skills. Find opportunities to learn and to develop your talents, which will help you be more engaged when you are in your office.
Having your emotional reasons for doing your job in alignment with the physical aspect of performing your job will enhance your work experience and increase your chances for personal growth within the scope of your career. You must make a conscious effort each day to acknowledge those reasons why you love your job, and take steps to foster those good feelings. Tending to your career as you would any other important relationship in your life greatly reduces your chances of suffering from job burnout or stress, and will prevent you from falling into the trap of dissatisfaction and apathy.
-David
