I used to think that formal education was the most important thing to succeeding in life. But over the years, I've learned that your college degree only gets you so far--like a foot in the door. And once you're in said door, your career becomes what YOU make of it.
Some people figure it out really quickly. Others take a little longer. And then there are those who put in minimal effort in exchange for the paycheck.
So what's the secret to career success and satisfaction? Well, I don't know about secrets, but here are 5 tips to getting your next promotion sooner, whether in your career or with your small business:
1. CREATE YOUR BRAND
Your next promotion isn't about working harder--it's about standing out. What do you want to be known for? Pushing papers across your desk? Or being the go-to person in your field? Anyone can do your job, but not everyone is you.
2. HAVE A GENUINE CURIOSITY IN PEOPLE
People want to connect with people. And people also love to talk about themselves. So the more curiosity you have for learning about people and making connections, the more of an impact you'll have on their lives.
3. COMMUNICATE THROUGH STORYTELLING
They say that great leaders are great storytellers. And while you may think that storytelling is not your forte, this is an important skill you can (and should) improve. People connect through storytelling, and people are more willing to follow or buy from people they trust.
4. PRACTICE SELF-DISCIPLINE AND SELF-CONTROL
Social media, drinking, and binge watching tv shows are among three of the top productivity killers. If you want to succeed in your career or business, it's time to practice self-discipline and self-control, especially on days when you don't feel like showing up.
5. BUILD ON YOUR STRENGTHS
Your strengths are what you're good at, which makes it easier to build on and exploit. Use your strengths to your advantage and outsource the stuff you're not so good at.
In a future blog post, I'll deep dive into each of these tips. Which tip should I talk about first?
