Career growth is an inherent part of our work life. For some the phrase means promotion to the next level or a lateral move. Others, it’s an exit out of their current company into a new job. Or, it’s taking on a big project that enhances their skill set.
Throughout our careers, we face highs and lows. We savor our highs. We experience frustration in our lows. And, we learn tons from our lows.
Career Growth Highs and Lows
Our career highs fill us with celebrations, promotions of you and others. They include customer wins, your first big achievement. Your teams are on fire, they’re rocking it. We feel energized when we see our teams grow and serving as a source of inspiration to others. We’re jamming and having fun!
It’s the lows where some of our best career growth lessons reside. Here’s a few lows that I’m referring too.
- You raised your hand for the promotion and didn’t get the job
- Your boss said “you’re not ready”
- The company brought in someone from the outside to fill that open spot you interviewed for
- You interviewed for a role and discovered later it was a courtesy interview
- You’re on a performance plan and concerned if you can make it
- Your company restructured and you’re out of a job
- Your boss is an @$$ and has an ego the size of Texas, doesn’t care, doesn’t listen
- You’re in a new role and holy smokes, you’re really not ready. It’s scary and stressful. Not what you expected.
Something tells me that you have a few lows to add to the list based on your own experiences. Just about all of the above happened to me over my career and for each one, I learned and survived. If you’re comfortable sharing, you’re welcome to comment at the bottom or send me a private message (sheensnaturephotography@gmail.com).
Career Growth Tip that Protects You from the Lows
No matter how smart, talented, hardworking, loyal we are, career lows happen. They happen from external factors or you may create them. How to survive the low? My #1 Tip.
Know your current job. Inside and out!
In today’s world, the words “speed, fast, quick” headline articles, media, blogs and business messages. As a distance runner, the phrase, “you can’t cheat the distance” applies in beating the career lows. If you try to run a half-marathon or full marathon without the right amount of work (training), it’s not pretty. You’re toast.
“Nothing will work unless you do.” — Maya Angelou
30 Inspirational Career Quotes
Where Most People Stop
In my observations, this is where many career-seekers stop. It’s the w-o-r-k in work. It’s repeating your job over and over. Learning lessons. Knowing pitfalls. Seeing opportunities. Applying creative approaches by thinking outside the box. Failing at different attempts. Succeeding with a new idea. Listening (and demonstrating you listened) to others.
Instead of doing your current job for a year and moving on, dive in further! When you know your job well it looks easy. It feels easy. And, you’re a valued resource, contributor to those around you today and in future opportunities.
When you really know your job, you survive and surpass the lows. That doesn’t mean they don’t happen. They will.
What it does mean is that you’ll get past them with ‘speed’. You’re ‘quick’ to overcome and move on. And, you’re enjoying the ‘fast’ pace that your career and life has to offer.
Career growth. Own your job, the strategy, the objectives, the tasks and transactions. When you discover that you can do your current job in your sleep, the next opportunity is around the corner. Go for it!
For other Monday Motivations see: Aperture and Light’s section Quotes.
