When was the last time you took your career pulse? Performed an evaluation of where you are on your career climb – how far up you have scaled the Mount Everest of your career life? There has never been a more appropriate moment to take time to take that pulse, to contemplate where you are, understand what you are worth, to acknowledge what you know and where you want to be on that mountain, now, and five years from now.
Where and how you want to grow, and where and how you could grow most exponentially, and meaningfully for your long-term career – what would that look like for you as an individual, with your ambition, your potential, your strengths, your goals, your values? Is it where you are currently? Perhaps, but probably not.
You won’t know without testing the waters. You won’t know without considering what changes right now you could make to accelerate your career. It is no longer the case, nor has it been the case for many years, that staying within the same organization is the pathway to the greatest acceleration in career growth. You won’t know without examining who you are now and who you have the potential of becoming. It is unlikely you will ever change and become that person you have the potential to become, if you do not challenge yourself and invite changes: invite opportunities.
Start by asking the following questions...
1] When was the last time I woke up in the morning, excited to start my workday?
2] What are my top five values in life, and do I fulfill these exponentially in my everyday worklife?
3] Do I feel like I am working with a team at least as competent and knowledgeable and as ambitious as I know myself to be?
4] Does my work – the work I do every day – matter to me? Does it matter to those I love?
5] When was the last time I was paid what I believe I was worth? Has this ever happened?
6] When was the last time I was making the income where I could grow monetarily and build wealth?
7] Is my everyday work culture toxic? On a scale of 1-10, 10 being most toxic, how toxic is it?
8] On a scale of 1-10, what is my work-life balance?
9] Am I learning anything substantive in my job, in my role?
10] Do I see myself doing this job, still, in one year, two years, five years, ten years? How long do I want to do it?
11] On a scale of 1-10, how happy am I, career-wise? Formulate a list to describe WHY the number is what it is? [No matter what that number is]
If the you select number is less than 8, you definitely need to continue….
12] What strengths do I possess that I am not using in my work now? What strengths do I want most to fully develop and use?
13] What dreams or ambitions have I supplanted by mere duty, or a numb repetition of routine?
14] What are the reasons for me to deny myself fulfillment in my work [job/role]?
15] Why have I chosen not to grow in my career? Make a comprehensive list of the reasons and study them carefully. Contemplate them.
16] What steps can I take to optimally grow my career immediately, now?
17] Where and how do I want to grow – in my career, in my knowledge, in my exposure to learning & career challenges? Do I want to study, whether full-time, part-time, casually, or online? Do I want to apprentice? Internship? B.A.? M.A.? Ph.D? Have I researched this thoroughly?
18] What values do I want to being to life most prominently in my profession and career? What matters to me most? Why is this important to my life fulfillment and meaning?
19] What opportunities have I been ignoring? Missing? What research have I NOT done in that regard?
20] How do I design the life I want as opposed to the one I have now?
21] Do I need a career coach to reach my Career Everest? If I have never tried this, perhaps I should?
Momentum in a career is caused by opening yourself to your strengths within, and recognizing the opportunities without – in order to better select from the best of them. The job market may never provide such optimal conditions to accelerate your career as those that exist currently – the ideal conditions to maximize your career potential and reach your career Everest more swiftly, and more meaningfully.
Assessing your career potential is the first step in discovering your Base Camp, and assembling the essential tools for the ascent. How many lives will you lead? Only the one your design for yourself, with excitement and intent, as opposed to the one you merely settle for.
At CareerHD, we understand how overwhelming this process may feel. It is a pivotal time in your life and we are here to support you. Browse through our informative articles on our Career Advice page and Career Coaching and Counselling services to learn more. Get in touch with us today, we would love to chat!
