“What is the recipe for successful achievement? To my mind there are just four essential ingredients: Choose a career you love, give it the best there is in you, seize your opportunities, and be a member of the team.”
This lovely quote, as spoken by Bejamin F. Fairless, makes achievement seem attainable and impossible at the same time. Let’s break it down, shall we?
Choose a career you love. Sure, seems easy enough. But is your career a field you can spend 40 years of your life in? Does it give you opportunities to try new things, build new skills, and meet new people? Do you feel pride in what you do? Do the good days outweigh the bad? If some of these questions are answered with a no, then maybe it might be time to reconsider where you want to go professionally in life.
Give it the best there is in you. Seems pretty simple. You never know when someone is observing you, so make the most of every moment. Go above and beyond when helping a client. If you’re talking about something with a co-worker, send them an article about what you’re discussing. Finish up those last couple of things before you go home Friday evening. Make sure your shirt is ironed. Prepare to go one step further to make a good impression.
Seize your opportunities. The funny thing about opportunities is that you never know when they’ll vanish, and when (or if!) they’ll come back. Sign up to audit a class in something you’re interested in. Attend a webinar to learn more about current trends in your field. Be the one to step up and volunteer for new projects that will build on your skills. Ask youself, is this something I will regret if I don’t do it?
Be a member of the team. Even if you know you can do a project better by yourself, don’t be afraid to get input from others. They may have ideas you didn’t think of, or have skills that you don’t. Help others out, because you never know when you’ll need help, too. Chat with co-workers during your lunch break, and remember to wish them a happy birthday. Just as you can learn from others, they may learn from you. And if everyone works on their communication, work will flow much more smoothly!
ALBRIGHT ELCDC 