We all know the age-old saying ‘it’s not about what you know, but all about who you know’. Set that aside, let your integrity shine through and climb the career ladder without stepping on any toes
Your current career might be one you’ve been working in for many years, or maybe you’re just getting back into the swing of things again. Either way, there are some side roads that shouldn’t be explored, but there are also lots of mazes to help us to reach our career goals without stepping on anyone’s toes. These are the necessities to carry as you trek along:
Go For The Goal
An ambition may have ignited within you at 3 AM (always the early mornings), but this ambition needs to be nurtured and pushed to action. Identify a clear ‘why’ to your goals to understand the ins and outs of achieving it: Will it energise your work life? Will it fulfil you personally? Does it align with your core values and visions? You should devote time and energy into understanding and planning the goal to make a strong start.
You’ve Got Skills!
Upskilling is never (ever) a bad idea! Many of us also forget that, in our respective fields, people are considered ‘resources’: the more valuable you make yourself through your abilities at both completing the work, and how you complete it (people skills), the further you can progress. There are also tons of online resources for you to complete short courses and get certified too. “It’s way too much knowledge”, said no one ever...
Commitment And Drive
After the most important ‘P’ word – popcorn – is perseverance. Life has a nasty habit of throwing curve balls at everyone, but working smarter, making sacrifices and exploring new work methods will benefit your trek to success. Put the hours into bettering yourself as you would any task you’re given at work.
The Best Fruit Starts With ‘Passion’
Okay, we’re starting to run into quite a list of important ‘P’ words but I promise this one’s good! If you’re passionate about your career, and your happiness therein, then you’ve got a one way ticket to the stars.
Having passion leads to prioritisation, planning, and powerful goals (see what we’re doing?). Passion drives you to set amazing goals for yourself and where you want to be – it lets you remember that knowing someone who knows someone isn’t the only way to make it.
Pay It Forward
If you do happen to stumble upon a someone who knows someone, then pay your contacts forward. Or help a fellow dreamer along by suggesting them to a colleague.
Networking is a huge part of success and community as many people attribute their success to the help they received along the way. By paying it forward, you also establish your own net-work and groom your people skills.
Work On Your ‘Abilities’
Dependability, reliability, flexibility, account-ability, determination (it’d be great if they all ended in -bility) and other traits relating to your work ethic are vital in climbing that steep ladder.
Basic abilities relating to your diligence, confidence, cooperative spirit, problem-solving and other communication skills help to steer you down the right, less bumpy, road to success.
An ambition may have ignited within you at 3 AM (always the early mornings), but this ambition needs to be nurtured and pushed to action. Identify a clear ‘why’ to your goals to understand the ins and outs of achieving it: Will it energise your work life? Will it fulfil you personally? Does it align with your core values and visions? You should devote time and energy into understanding and planning the goal to make a strong start.
You’ve Got Skills!
Upskilling is never (ever) a bad idea! Many of us also forget that, in our respective fields, people are considered ‘resources’: the more valuable you make yourself through your abilities at both completing the work, and how you complete it (people skills), the further you can progress. There are also tons of online resources for you to complete short courses and get certified too. “It’s way too much knowledge”, said no one ever...
Commitment And Drive
After the most important ‘P’ word – popcorn – is perseverance. Life has a nasty habit of throwing curve balls at everyone, but working smarter, making sacrifices and exploring new work methods will benefit your trek to success. Put the hours into bettering yourself as you would any task you’re given at work.
The Best Fruit Starts With ‘Passion’
Okay, we’re starting to run into quite a list of important ‘P’ words but I promise this one’s good! If you’re passionate about your career, and your happiness therein, then you’ve got a one way ticket to the stars.
Having passion leads to prioritisation, planning, and powerful goals (see what we’re doing?). Passion drives you to set amazing goals for yourself and where you want to be – it lets you remember that knowing someone who knows someone isn’t the only way to make it.
Pay It Forward
If you do happen to stumble upon a someone who knows someone, then pay your contacts forward. Or help a fellow dreamer along by suggesting them to a colleague.
Networking is a huge part of success and community as many people attribute their success to the help they received along the way. By paying it forward, you also establish your own net-work and groom your people skills.
Passion drives you to SET AMAZING GOALS for your-self and where you want to be
Work On Your ‘Abilities’
Dependability, reliability, flexibility, account-ability, determination (it’d be great if they all ended in -bility) and other traits relating to your work ethic are vital in climbing that steep ladder.
Basic abilities relating to your diligence, confidence, cooperative spirit, problem-solving and other communication skills help to steer you down the right, less bumpy, road to success.
Work Smart
The SMART framework is a useful way to set and plan your career goals. SMART is an acronym for:
1. Specific: the ‘Who, What, Where, When and Why’ of a goal.
2. Measurable: the ‘Hows’ of your goal.
3. Achievable: the resources, capabilities and previous references available.
4. Realistic: how reality, reachability and commitment required to attain a goal.
5. Timely: the deadlines and personal time-frame set for a goal.
The SMART framework is a useful way to set and plan your career goals. SMART is an acronym for:
1. Specific: the ‘Who, What, Where, When and Why’ of a goal.
2. Measurable: the ‘Hows’ of your goal.
3. Achievable: the resources, capabilities and previous references available.
4. Realistic: how reality, reachability and commitment required to attain a goal.
5. Timely: the deadlines and personal time-frame set for a goal.
This framework is especially helpful to those who have very vivid goals, but no idea how or where to start achieving them. SMART goals allow you to identify the specific areas of management that may need to improve to attain your goals.
It could be something like working on your language use, organising your to-dos or managing your time better. But no matter the obstacle, we’re sure you’re SMART enough (laughs in corny writership) to smash those goals!
Text: Saadiqah Schroeder
Photographs: Pexels
CLIMBING THE CORPORATE LADDER 101
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
March 24, 2023
Rating:
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
March 24, 2023
Rating:
