Career Success Requires You to Keep Moving Forward

Too often today, many people (including bosses and leaders) lament wanting to do something bigger, different, and more meaningful than they are currently doing. “I hate my job,” “I’d be happier if I made more money,” or “I’m destined for something greater” are common excuses.

They play small games to keep them on the payroll. They struggle to determine why they are dissatisfied with their job or career. They spend time gazing into a false future (“if only it wasn’t this way”), ignoring getting assignments done on time, doing sloppy work, or blowing off customer promises as unimportant.

Being resistant or resentful will keep you stuck because the same issues reappear as life lessons – even if you move on to the next job, career, or job opportunity. Remember, wherever you go, there you are (“The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension” 1984)

When you want to shuck it all (and there are times everyone does), stop. The same amount of time you spend hoping for different results would be better spent taking focused actions that move you forward to play a bigger game (e.g., upskilling, resolving failures and mistakes, and working out differences with difficult people).

And remember, hope is not a strategy.

Career Success Requires You to Stop Playing Small

Get your brag on!? When you experience feelings of being unworthy, lack confidence, or are overlooked for a well-deserved promotion, take the time to complete the five simple exercises in “Get Your Brag On!” This will build your self-confidence and provide guidance. Now -- move forward by talking with your boss or the hiring manager who told you “No.” Playing a bigger game requires listening and then taking focused forward action by upskilling those technical, communication, and people skills.

Know thyself. You may believe you know yourself yet are unaware (or in denial) of your blind spots . Being inauthentic makes it difficult for others to work with you. You cannot transform a lie. Work with an experienced executive coach and use a job fit assessment to clarify who you are, not how you want to be seen . Playing a bigger game requires the process of getting real and using these newfound strengths appropriately.

Create real goals.? Real goals are simple and not camouflaged in a lot of words. (Remember, words matter.) Questions to ask yourself: “What lights me up?” and “What do I really really really want to achieve?” Remember, your goals are personal – stop trying to be someone other than who you are. Start today by taking focused actions to move forward. Playing a bigger game can be scary at first, but it gets easier the further forward you go.

Take consistent action. Yes, practice does create mastery. Take consistent actions daily by making the time instead of waiting until the time feels right. Playing to win requires creating new habits that work for you and your team.

Engage in critical thinking. CBS Sunday Morning (9/29/2024) featured students in Finland learning how to separate fake news (aka fiction) from facts. Remember, opinions do not equal facts! Critical thinking begins by telling the truth about the facts before deep diving into the core issue. Creating a bigger game requires working with the team to brainstorm solutions and discern what will work within budget, team, and people constraints.

Pull together a great team. Stop the do-it-yourself modality, “I can do it better,” and “I don’t have the time.” Your ego keeps you playing small. Hiring the right team members can and will make a big difference – often, they will do it better than you can while achieving the intended results. When you play a bigger game, you cannot do it yourself.

Develop good communication skills. You may believe you have good interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. When you criticize others, blame them, or ignore their ideas, understand these are indicators you need help! Spend time hiring the right coach and finding the right mentor to ensure your communication skills and any blind spots (e.g., microaggressions, misinterpretations, and lack of honesty) are addressed in real time. Playing a bigger game requires improved communication and interpersonal skills.

Practice acknowledgment. It takes courage to move forward – remember, you can do it! Acknowledge your successes and appreciate your team members each and every day! This is critical when playing a bigger game and producing intended results.

?Jeannette Seibly 2024 All Rights Reserved

Jeannette Seibly?is a Talent Advisor/Leadership Results Coach with over 31 years of practical experience guiding leaders and bosses to improve their hiring, coaching, and managing practices and produce amazing results! And yes, achieving business success always starts with?having the right people in the right jobs !?She has been an Authorized PXT Select? Partner for over 32 years. Contact Jeannette to learn more about these state-of-the-art job-fit assessment tools or how to coach and manage your people to achieve incredible results.

A note from Jeannette:?We all experience times when we want to run away from our careers and falsely believe doing so will erase any unhappiness or job dissatisfaction. When you are unhappy, it’s a signal you are on track but need to play a bigger game (e.g., upskill your awareness, communication, and goals) to move forward. Yes, it takes courage to move forward – remember, you can do it! Need guidance? Contact me .

Now is the time to get into focused action!?Are there days you dread doing what is needed to manage your people, projects, and team's financial performance? You're not alone! Everyone has those days! But continuing to hide behind excuses only hurts you and your future promotability. I have extensive experience and wisdom guiding bosses and leaders to hire, coach, and manage their teams successfully – this includes getting you out of the way and working with and through people effectively to achieve the results required. Contact me ?to learn more about my in-depth, one-on-one, customized coaching programs.

Need a speaker for a company retreat or workshop? Want your audience to be energized and participating? Contact me!

Get Your Brag On! Why is it important to self-promote and share your successes? Listen to this 15-minute interview and learn why.

Spotify:?https://open.spotify.com/episode/0B8voYqwPCooIA95zHmwSp?si=rfnEN6pjRa2ZWzttCpiTDA

YouTube:?https://youtu.be/hoF1Obii7RQ

?To grab the book, go to: https://SeibCo.com/books/ ?

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