You’ve got a job you enjoy, and you’re pretty good at it. But sooner or later, you’re going to want to do something more to make your mark. If you feel like you’re stuck in a bit of a rut, or ready to step up to the next level, then consider one of the following:
Study for an MBA
An MBA can really kick your career up a gear. It will teach you a number of great skills that will improve your strategic thinking, problem-solving, and self-discipline. In some industries, it’s also great for building credibility. There are many ways to study. Some choose to study an MBA online, alongside their day job.
Never stop learning
Bill Gates reads 50 books every year. He has a voracious appetite for knowledge, and not just around computers and software. He reads books on science, history, psychology. philosophy and fiction. While being an expert in your field is a must, an interest in other areas too will benefit you greatly in your career, as it will expand your world view.
Create your plan
Knowing exactly where you want to go can be very liberating. Write down a plan of what you want to be doing in five years’ time and all the things you have to do to achieve it. Break it down into smaller, achievable goals that you can start working towards immediately.
For example, if you want to be working for yourself in five years’ time, what kinds of courses would you need to take? Would you start off with a side hustle in your spare time before transitioning to self-employed?
Each little step is one closer to your end goal and won’t seem so daunting. Of course, your goals might change a little as time goes on, that’s to be expected. Just make sure you write them down too.
Build your own personal brand
You know your stuff and you use this knowledge to do your job, but others can benefit from this knowledge too.
Set yourself up as a person to follow in your industry. This can be done in a number of ways. Social media is a good place to start. Or you can start a blog. People are always hungry for knowledge.
When starting out, you need to determine what your personal brand will be like and how you want to be known. Narrow down your target audience and start following and engaging with industry influencers.
Get a mentor
Mentors aren’t just for CEOs. Anyone can benefit from having a mentor, but most people don’t know it. A mentor can share knowledge and experience while helping you to develop specific skills that will push you forward in your career.
Find a dedicated mentoring program to join or look to your industry network to find someone that you feel you will benefit from working with. It may take more than one attempt to find the right one, but when you do, it will be life-changing.
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