15 Ideas for Planning Your Successful Career
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"Doing a good job is one of the most important ways to move up
the ladder", says Dr. Don Bagin, Professor of Communications at
Glassbro State College. If you are one of the many people who do
a good job consistently but are not noticed by top management,
here are some suggestions to help you get on the fast track:
Smiling: Research has shown that people who smile are
perceived to be more intelligent than those who don't.
Prioritizing: Avoid spending a great deal of time on
things that aren't important just because you are good at them.
The person who gets ahead is the person who establishes
priorities and sets aside time for them accordingly.
Walking: Choose to walk rather than drive as often as
possible. And when you do, walk at least ten to fifteen percent
faster than you normally would. Somehow this faster pace
communicates to others that you are a person with a mission who
is eager to get the job done.
Speaking actively: Use the active voice when speaking or
writing. Listen to the difference: "I prepared and delivered the
reports promptly." Compare it to "The report was promptly
prepared and delivered." Although the second one told you
something, many more questions were left unanswered.
Knowing your boss: Get to understand your boss'
personality and when to approach him or her. If your boss is a
morning person, be sure that you come up with your suggestions
and proposals in the morning while he is most receptive.
Volunteering: While being careful not to overdo it,
volunteer for special projects and responsibilities outside of
your working hours and job description.
Expressing gratitude: Develop the habit of sending brief
notes of thanks to anyone who has made your day easier.
Positively speaking: Look for positive things to say
about people, especially your co-workers.
Being approachable: Make yourself approachable. Let
people know when and how to reach you.
Following-up: After a task-assigning meeting, follow-up
immediately on those assignments that were given to you.
Spotting trends: Learn to spot trends that affect your
company or agency. Be the first person to alert those in a
position to capitalize on them.
Presenting effectively: Be certain that you speak clearly
and precisely when making presentations. Speak with confidence
and admit honestly when you don't know, but promise to return
with an answer promptly.
Reading the trades: Determine which publications top
management is reading, then get a copy of them so that you, too,
can become knowledgeable of relevant matters.
Making contact: Establish a contact person in all your
referral sources. Make it a point to meet with that person so
that you can get to know each other. It will help make your
future contacts easier for both of you.
Remembering your manners: Never forget to be polite or to
follow the proper protocol. It lets people know that you mean
business, that you take your business relationships seriously.
Put these fifteen ideas into practice, and I guarantee you that
you will see yourself progressing faster and farther than you
thought possible.
Remember: When you maximize your potential, everyone
wins. When you don't, we all lose.