Wanting a better life is a noble goal. Professional growth should be sought throughout an entire life. Set up a plan to achieve your growth. When we have the desire to move up the corporate ladder, we still must pose the question “Do I want to move up the corporate ladder?” Without asking ourselves this question it is hard to be committed. The answer will be simple: yes or no. There is no “maybe” in the answer. It’s either a full commitment or not. If the answer is “yes” then this allows you to start the process of understanding what is necessary to accomplish this.
The next important questions is “Why” do you want to move up? The answer will give you the reward or end result. The “Why” is what will drive you. Generally it is what you hope to obtain once you move up the corporate ladder. It may be financial relief, or the ability to buy a house, a car, vacations, personal growth or retirement savings. The “Why” is very personal to you. This “Why” will give the strength and action to achieve what is necessary to get the job done. I always recommend creating a visual board with pictures of all that you hope to achieve once you move up ladder. Put this visual board near your working desk so that you can see it every day. On your difficult days this board will provide perseverance to not quit. It is a very powerful motivator. I encourage you to update and change the visual board often so that it is refreshed in your mind regularly.
Once we have answered these first two questions, the next few steps is what I call the research. The research will provide you with the knowledge of where you are right now and where you need to be. What skills do you have at this moment and what skills do you need to improve or acquire in order to get the next promotion?
Let’s first address “What are your current skills?” Start a list with all the skill you currently have. This should be a proud moment to list all your strengths and skills. Include the technical skills and your leadership skills (also known as your hard & soft skills.) Also include your personal traits that you have and are unique. This list would serve like your resume, but in more detail. Don’t be shy to feel proud to list everything.
Next, make a list of of the skills that you currently don’t have and need to works towards. The best way to get a list of what you are missing is to research your next level up criteria. Either to speak to Human Resource, your department head, or research what your industry defines each level of your profession. Once again, this list would include your missing technical and leadership skills. The skills that you need to develop. It could also be years of experience that you are missing. This list will be important because it will serve as a checklist to work towards in the future. Be honest with yourself, because if you are missing one or various skills you need to work hard to accomplish them.
Once you have list of missing skills, then you need to set a timeline to accomplish this. A timeline allows you to see an end or a turning point in you next professional growth. Set timelines for short term goals and long term goals. The short term goals (6 months – 1 year) will allow you to feel you are moving in the right direction. The long term goals (over 1 year) are those skills that will take longer to learn, get a certification or acquire more experience time.
Professional growth is a never ending journey, and we should embrace it for a full life. “Knowledge is power.. Knowledge is safety… knowledge is happiness.” Thomas Jefferson
