Essential ingredients for a successful career

It is important to have an optimist perspective about difficulties in life, especially when we are talking about our career. Whenever we see an obstacle ahead, we are challenged to see it as an opportunity to strive and grow.

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of hearing some great advises from one of our senior executives here in our New York office about careers, and I just wanted to share them with you:

1.     Develop your skills, and don’t stop there. The future is about agility. Your ability to learn new things will be challenged more and more. We need to learn agility.

2.     Develop your passion. Find what really drives you. Work with that thing that makes your heart beat faster and your eyes shine when you explain it. Love what you do.

3.     Take appropriate risks. Don’t waste yourself in the Comfort Zone. Take some steps further into the Courage Zone where most growth and opportunities reside. Let your confidence grow and find bravery. Be careful with the Terror Zone. It’s right beyond the Courage Zone.

4.     Find Mentors. Be a mentor. It’s about getting the best of you. Maybe an official mentoring relationship is not a good idea. We have to feel the chemistry in an organic relationship that flows naturally. Mentoring is about making sure people around you are successful.

5.     Develop your Talent – Take others with you. Make sure you concentrate on strengths and not on weaknesses. Sheryl Sandberg properly stated, “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”

These are essential ingredients for a successful career. Hope these thoughts move your heart the same way they moved mine.

Success!!!