Effective Ways To Get More Out Of Your Career

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The average person spends around 36 hours per week at work. Devoting so much time and effort to your job can be rewarding, but what if you’re left wanting more? If you’re eager to get more out of your career, here are some effective steps to take today. 

Invest in development and training

Most of us start a job with intentions or ambitions to climb the ladder. From taking on more responsibility to tackling different types of tasks, there are lots of ways to further your career and make strides. Investing in yourself through development, learning and training is one of the best ways to enhance your career prospects and achieve work-related goals. If you are employed, speak to your boss about training and opportunities to study or take courses and keep an eye out for emails or posters advertising programs, workshops, online courses or webinars. It’s also a brilliant idea to talk to your employer about shadowing and taking advantage of openings if more senior jobs become available. Expressing interest and committing to training and learning can help to ensure that you are on your manager’s radar. 

List your priorities

We all go to work to earn money and contribute to society, but we often have different priorities. If you feel like you want to get more out of your career, it’s beneficial to think about what matters most to you. What kinds of changes would you like to make and what is most important? Do you wish you could have more flexibility or a better work-life balance? Are you desperate to progress or earn more? Do you long to enjoy greater job satisfaction? Are you keen to expand or diversify your skill set and explore different opportunities? Once you know what you want to achieve, you can figure out how to get there.

Surveys show that more and more people want flexibility at work. If you would love to have more control of when and where you work, or you want to travel more or discover different environments, for example, why not look for opportunities that will enable you to achieve this objective? Working as a registered travel nurse is a fantastic example of how you can enjoy greater flexibility and see new places while working as a nurse. Mentoring or teaching abroad offers amazing chances to travel if you’re a teacher or coach. Going freelance as a consultant, marketer, sales executive, real estate agent or writer may allow you to embrace a more nomadic lifestyle. Alternatively, if flexibility is more important than location and you enjoy your current job, speak to your boss about working remotely or adjusting your schedule. 

Set goals

Setting goals is a tried and tested way to hit targets and increase motivation levels, but it’s important to be realistic and honest. If you have career ambitions, establish obtainable goals and set milestones that are relevant to you. Try to avoid being influenced or pressured by external factors or forces, such as other peoples’ opinions or societal norms and expectations. Focus on hitting targets that will give you a sense of achievement. Break major milestones down into smaller steps. If you dream of being CEO, for example, start working towards the next level up and keep moving the target as you climb the ladder. 

Don’t forget to have fun

Work is often serious and we have to focus, apply brain power and solve problems, but it should also be enjoyable. It’s very difficult to devote 36 or more hours per week to intense work with no room for breaks, socializing with colleagues, discussing the latest revelations of binge-worthy box sets or celebrating achievements. Remember to have fun at work. You should get satisfaction from your job and it should make you happy more often than it makes you feel low, stressed or anxious. If you dread going to work, you get no satisfaction from it, or you constantly feel like you’re up against it, it may be worth considering changing your job. 

Prioritize your well-being

Employee health and well-being is a hot topic. We have become increasingly interested in mental health and many of us are now looking for ways to protect and nourish our well-being at work. Looking after yourself can make a huge difference to your performance at work as well as job satisfaction. Try to manage your workload, schedule breaks, get some fresh air, include exercise in your daily routine and seek help or advice if you’re struggling. 

Do you ever think about your job and wish you got more out of it? If you dream of taking the next step, you want to hit targets, or your priorities have changed, now is the time to make changes. Invest in yourself, look for ways to make your personal goals more achievable and think about what matters most to you. Try to have fun at work and prioritize your health and well-being. 

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