How To Leverage The Most Important (Yet Overlooked) Elements Of Your Career

Right now, the world seems more chaotic and uncertain than ever. You may be having a tough time being productive at work, despite the flurry of activity that likely encompasses your day. And the blurred lines between personal and professional our current environment adds another layer of complexity and distraction to the mix, making progress feel elusive.

Amidst the craziness, the key to your career success lies in leveraging two elements that are simple, yet not always easy: clarity and alignment.

CLARITY

Clarity is all about focus. Without clarity, you’ll forever spin your professional wheels, unable to articulate your goals, wandering aimlessly.

When you’re clear, everything becomes easier. People understand you, what you offer, your value, what differentiates you, how you can help them, and how they can assist you. Clarity helps others know, like, and trust you.

The best way to gain clarity is to slow down and reflect on what you want most. Though asking yourself, “What do I want?” may seem like an easy exercise, for some it can be surprisingly difficult. This is especially true for those who wrestle with fear and insecurities about acknowledging their dreams and for people who’ve never pushed the pause button on their busy lives long enough to give themselves space to do so.

Also, realize that you’re allowed to change your answer over time; what you wanted when you began your career may no longer apply, or you may use this time to pivot and realize that dream you had tucked away for “one day.” Now might be the perfect time to reinvent yourself. Challenge yourself to be open enough to allow new and alternative—and sometimes even better—possibilities to emerge.

But here’s the thing about clarity: it demands specificity, and there is no room for a wishy-washy answer. You can’t make progress if you “kind of” want something. The more focused you can be about what matters most to you, the better.  

ALIGNMENT

Being clear on what you want isn’t enough; you also need to align your goals with a plan to achieve them—and stay away from the things that can derail you.

Alignment is about intentionally supporting your goals through your actions, thoughts, and environment. This starts with understanding how you’re spending your time and where and with whom you’re investing your attention and then asking yourself if this choice helps you move closer to your goals or prevents you from achieving them.

Say yes to those people and things that support what you want, and don’t be afraid to say no to those that do not. If the people in your environment are holding you back from accomplishing what you need to do, let them go and find a new inner circle of those who support your goals.

It’s also important to use your awareness to check yourself—are you getting in your own way through negative self-talk and a fixed mindset? The stories you tell yourself are the most important words you speak. Words have power, so choose them wisely, and maintain a growth mindset to encourage progress.

Remember, if you’re not changing it, you’re choosing it. Make sure you’re intentional with your choices and that your actions support your goals.

This article was first published on Forbes.com. Find it here, and Amy's other Forbes articles here.

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?Amy Blaschka is a social media ghostwriter who helps leaders craft their stories to communicate and connect better. Contact her if you'd like her help.?

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