Gaining control over your career

A lot has been said about how "the good old days" of working for only one company from mail room to corner suite, are long gone. I agree that it's highly unlikely that you will work for one company throughout your career, as the US Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates here. The question is how do we gain control over our careers if we can't count on regular promotions within the same company? I often see people pursuing expensive advanced college degrees without a plan to use them, attending college and not graduating, or sitting around fearful that they will be laid-off.

A better approach is to acknowledge the reality that you're facing, and then come up with a plan to address it or at least mitigate the problem as best you can. Start with an objective look at yourself, including your strengths and weaknesses. There are assessments you can take, some for a fee, that will help cut through the noise and point you in the right direction. Another option is to talk with someone older and more experienced than you. The key is to find objective feedback about your interests and skills. Do you have the necessary skills and drive to succeed where you are?

When you know areas to develop, establish some goals for yourself, write them down, and share them with someone close to you - perhaps a good friend or significant other. Perhaps your goal is to learn a new technology or find a new mentor. You want people around you who will question you and drive accountability. It's easy to daydream about where you want to be and what you want to do, but if someone else knows about your dreams and aspirations, then you're going to feel more "on the hook" to get moving.

Secondarily, this gives someone else the chance to verify that your goals make sense. If you're terrible at algebra and your goal requires a lot of higher mathematics, then you need someone close who can speak some truth to you BEFORE you start down that path. Someone who knows you well can also point out potential pitfalls and maybe help you break the problem into smaller pieces. Many people get stuck staring up at a mountain of tasks before they can break off a manageable chunk and get started.

Next, setup a calendar with weekly goals. This step is very important, partially to drive accountability, but primarily to setup a record that you can look back on and realize that you're making progress. If you don't see regular progress, then you're going to become demotivated and remain stuck in a rut.

Ask yourself these questions today:

1. What are your skills and interests? Are you using your skills and pursuing your interests today? If not, why is that?
2. What are some reasonable goals you can set for yourself to use your skills, or to enhance your skills? What are you missing and what would you like to see in yourself in 5 years?
3. Who can act as a soundboard and motivator for you? Who cares about your success and happiness? Discuss your goals with this person.
4. What can you do this week to move towards accomplishing yours goals? Break this task into smaller pieces until you know you can finish something this week.

Try it out for a few weeks and make sure to check your progress. If you're not progressing, break your tasks into smaller chunks, check your assumptions with that close friend, and proceed.