How can you make 2024 a great year for your career?
That’s what I’m talking about today.
So, Keep listening and find out what’s possible for you this year ….
Hello and a very warm welcome to Episode No 84 of ‘Your Bravo Career’
My name is Mark Crossfield, I’m a Professional Career Coach / helping you to love your job and build a great career.
This podcast is about why your career matters
How you can enjoy what you are doing day each day at work
and how to build a great career along the way.
Introduction
Welcome everybody to Episode No 84
Today, I’m talking about how to make 2024 a great year for your career.
If you're thinking about your career trajectory this year, this episode is specifically crafted for you.
Consider 2024 as your opportunity to shape a landmark year in your career.
Because …You’re in control of your career …
You are in control of your career's direction over the next 12 months.
You have the power to influence, create, and steer your professional journey.
Your career is a journey that you direct.
So, embrace a positive, future-focused mindset,
to make 2024 the way you would like it for your career.
And here, to get you started, are four steps you can take to make 2024 your year:
It starts with … and this is the first thing
1. Charting Your Course
As I’ve just mentioned your career direction is in your hands and you can chart your own career course.
How liberating is that.
And, for this section, I’m taking inspiration from a writer called Steven Pressfield. He’s best known for his books like "The War of Art" and "Turning Pro."
Pressfield's ideas are centred around overcoming internal barriers to achieve your true potential.
He says that most people live with a gap between their lived experience and their untapped potential.
He encourages you to recognise and overcome the 'resistance' – which can be anything from self-doubt to fear of failure –
This resistance prevents you from achieving your true calling and is very important when contemplating your career path.
So, taking inspiration from Steven Pressfield, let’s identify what matters most to you, so you can contemplate and plan your own career path.
And push through the resistance …
This isn't just about setting goals, although it could include that; it's about aligning your career with your personal values and aspirations.
So,
Reflect on Your Values:
These are the things that are important to you in your career.
In Episode 56 I talked about the significance of values when it comes to carving out your career path.
You might want to re-listen to that episode.
Understanding your values is a crucial step in finding fulfilment in your work.
If you've been a regular listener of the podcast, you know that the holy trinity of loving your job consists of getting to grips with your interests, motivated skills, and of course your values.
What’s important to you in your career? Is it creativity, leadership, innovation, or stability?
For example, if creativity is your key value, you can seek roles that allow you to innovate and express yourself.
If leadership is your calling, you can look for opportunities to lead projects or teams.
So, the next thing to think about is …
Identifying some Key Projects: Think about projects that you want to be part of in 2024.
It could be leading a new product launch, getting involved in a corporate social responsibility initiative, or even starting a side project related to your field.
These projects should challenge and excite you, enhancing your profile and skills.
Also,
Having looked at your values and thought about the projects you might be interested in, see if you can now ..
Plan Your Career Steps: Where do you see yourself by the end of 2024?
Maybe it's earning a promotion, switching to a different industry, or even starting your own business.
Consider the logical steps towards these goals.
For instance, if you’re aiming for a promotion, identify the competencies and experience you need to make you an ideal candidate.
Also,
Seek Necessary Support: No one achieves success alone.
Determine what support you need. This could be finding a mentor, joining a professional network, or seeking opportunities for feedback and growth within your current organisation.
Once you have these elements outlined, list your career aspirations for 2024.
Ensure they are both challenging and appealing.
An example could be, "By the end of 2024, I aim to lead a major project in my department, enhancing my leadership skills and contributing significantly to the company's objectives."
Formulate a plan to bring this vision to life. Break it down into actionable steps.
What's your first step? Perhaps it's scheduling a meeting with your manager to express your career goals and seek their advice.
What comes next might be enrolling in a leadership course or seeking a mentor within your industry.
Remember, as corny as it sounds, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Your career journey in 2024 is no different.
Ok, that’s step 1. And Step 2 is about …
2. Continual Learning
In today’s rapidly changing professional landscape, continual learning is essential for staying relevant and advancing in your career.
Let’s explore how you can tailor your learning journey to fit your specific role and future ambitions.
Start by identifying the skills most relevant to your current role and future career aspirations.
For examples, if you're in marketing, understanding digital marketing trends might be crucial. If you’re in IT, learning about emerging technologies like artificial intelligence could be beneficial.
Next, Set some specific, measurable learning goals.
For example, if you aim to improve your leadership skills, your goal might be to complete a leadership workshop or read a set number of books on leadership within the year.
The internet is a treasure trove of learning resources. Platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Skillshare, and Udemy offer courses on a vast array of topics.
Podcasts, webinars, and online workshops are also excellent ways to learn.
As you acquire these new skills, think about how you can apply them in your current role.
For example, if you learn a new project management tool, consider how you can use it to streamline processes in your next project.
This practical application helps solidify your learning and demonstrates your initiative and updated skill set to your employer.
This proactive approach to professional development keeps your knowledge relevant and ready to embrace the challenges of 2024 and beyond.
Ok, so the third thing is to …
3. Elevate Your Confidence in 2024
Building and maintaining confidence is crucial in the journey of career development.
Confidence isn't just a feeling; it's a dynamic state that can be developed and strengthened over time.
Here’s how you can actively work on elevating your confidence throughout 2024:
First,
Start by reflecting on your past successes. No matter how small, each achievement contributes to building your self-confidence.
Create a ‘success file’ or journal where you document all your accomplishments, positive feedback from colleagues, and milestones.
This serves as a powerful reminder of your capabilities, especially during moments of doubt.
Also, and this is the next thing, confidence grows when you set and achieve realistic goals.
Break your larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks.
Celebrating these small wins regularly can significantly boost your confidence.
For instance, if your goal is to become more proficient in public speaking, start by speaking up in meetings or presenting to a small group, gradually working your way up to larger audiences.
Also, regularly visualise yourself succeeding in your goals.
This can mentally prepare you for the real experience.
Imagine yourself acing a presentation, successfully leading a project, or confidently contributing in meetings.
Finally, in relation to confidence, Develop a Positive Support Network: Surround yourself with people who uplift and support you.
Having a network of positive, encouraging individuals can significantly impact your confidence.
Confidence is like a muscle – the more you work on it, the stronger it becomes, making it an essential component of your personal and professional growth.
And finally … the 4th step to making 2024 a great year is to ….
4. Support Someone Else's Career in 2024
This year, consider how you can aid someone else's career development. Whether it’s mentoring, offering advice, or simply being a sounding board for ideas,
your support can make a significant difference in another person's professional journey.
See if you can identify someone in your network or community who could benefit from your experience and expertise.
Make a plan to offer your support in a way that's meaningful and impactful.
Conclusion:
To summarise, here are five steps to make 2024 a standout year for your career:
Design your own career path. Remember you are in control of what happens in you career
Commit to ongoing personal development.
Build confidence through proactive steps.
Support someone else's career.
Your Career Call to Action:
Your task today is to review these steps and start with at least one action to make 2024 a remarkable year for your career.
Section 8: End
Thank you for joining me today.
You can find today’s show notes at bravocoaching.co.uk/podcast.
If you are interested in working with me, you can book a free discovery call on my website.
Have a wonderful week and I will speak to you again in a couple of weeks time.
Bye for now.