Anxious to Stay/Able to Leave - for 2018

It is a relatively quiet week . . . . . so it is time to catch up on last year’s reading (the pile I kept) and plan for the year to come.  I was reading HR Magazine and a quote caught my eye:

• “Job security is a myth. Set up Me Inc. – a company you will be with forever.”
• Martin Yate – Career Coach, Best-Selling Author and SHRM.org Columnist

When I worked in the outplacement profession, I always told people to continually invest in their careers.  It seemed that networking and professional development were always put on the back-burner.  Who had time?  The people I worked with, however, were in transition and suddenly had to catch up – reconnecting with their network and their profession. 

Career Advice from the Best!

• From Forbes:  Mornings matter.  The information from Forbes talks about multiple successful people who start their day early and have a routine for their mornings.  Success for these morning people is not an accident. 
• New Year’s Resolution:  NOTE – I did not say resolutions (plural)!  Most people make them and quickly break them.  Experts say it takes 21 days to make (or break) a habit.  What can you do in 21 days?  Connect with people, read a professional journal and/or attend a professional association meeting.  One simple activity per day (leaving a voicemail for a network connection counts) . . . . 21 days to this behavior being a habit. 
• Success is About People, Not Plans (Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn Founder):  All of our work is done with people.  Why, when we are busy, do we stay at our desks and eat alone?  We need to consistently connect with people – with a purpose if needed.  That purpose can be ideas on how to meet a short-term deadline OR on building connections for the future.  Either way, get out there. 
• Figure Out What To Do With Your Life (from The New York Times):  I remember encountering a book called, Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow in the 1980’s.  I don’t remember much of the book, but the advice seems to resonate with people today.  Going to a place of work where your skills are used and you feel a sense of accomplishment will lead to your best performance. 

Google some of these organizations – or simply Google career advice for 2018.  You will find great ideas.

Let me wish you only the best for 2018 – a year of career success – in your current role or in a role yet to be identified.