Last week I had the honor of participating in Peter Reek’s Smart & Savvy Associates fantastic event for those wishing to build their marketing careers.
The event was masterfully choreographed with words of wisdom from 12 seasoned professionals sharing career planning “hindsights” interspersed with a dance competition, the Price is Right and Deal or No Deal. The truly magnificent part of the evening was that each speaker had only 5-minutes (think ‘petcha kucha’ style) to share their insights (and, yes, most kept to the clock).
I was last up of the 12 and shared my “Seven Steps to Career and Leadership Success.”
I shared not only my personal experience, but more importantly, I shared the collective wisdom and hindsights of the hundreds of individuals I’ve coached to career and leadership success over the past dozen years.
Here’s a brief summary of what I said. I decided to create a mnemonic to make the steps easy to remember. A video of the event is coming soon. But until then, this will have to suffice.
Set a vision and goals: The most successful folks I know set a vision (1 or 5 years out) for what is possible for their leadership and life. They take a holistic view and determine the destination they aim to reach. Then they put that vision up on the shelf and trust in it and themselves. Next they take an action everyday (large or small) that moves them in the right direction.
Understand self-esteem CPR: Self-confidence is knowing the you have the skills to do something well. Self-esteem is knowing your worth even if you are doing nothing. Lack of self-esteem can stunt your career; no matter how talented you are. You know you have strong self-esteem when you stay on an even keel no matter how great the wins or losses. When you have strong belief in your worth regardless of market conditions you can practice Self-Esteem CPR: you make Choices that move you toward your vision; you make Positivity a priority (your attitude, people and environments that surround you); and, you take measured Risks because you feel good in your own skin.
Create value security: Job and career security has gone the way of the Brontosaurus. It is extinct. Yesterday’s world was about being employed. You put in the hours and they gave you a gold watch. Today’s world is about being employable. You are measured on the value you bring and the results you deliver. The more value you create, the more you make your performance shine, the more career options become available to you.
Contribute to others: Don’t give to get. Give to give. Endeavor to make a meaningful impact on others. Further this philosophy in your networking, volunteerism and day-to-day interactions.
Exercise your superpower: The workplace rewards mastery not mediocrity. The marketplace rewards mastery not mediocrity. The leaders I know who have success on their terms play to their strengths. They do not shore up weakness; and, instead build within their power alley. In other words, if you were a superhero what would your superpower be?
Synergize your career and life: Do not sacrifice your life for your career. Avoid burnout. In our crazy busy world there is no such thing as balance and forget trying to achieve it. Strive for harmony between your roles and responsibilities. In doing so, you will stop worrying about whether you are doing the right things and focus on doing the right things the right way.
Seek success not perfection: Perfection is a career killer. When you focus on everything being a 100% right you get stuck. You hold on too tightly and do not delegate or let things go. You try to control everything and everyone. You miss opportunities to grow and take risks.
If you have a task or an activity that energizes you and is a high priority – go attack it with gusto. Not only will you be doing something you love, you’ll gain even more energy because a high priority item is complete. For items that are a low priority but bring you energy, save those for a time when you need an energy boost.