Crafting a Career with Purpose: 6 Steps for Long Term Success
Have you ever wondered how to build a strategic career? Pursuing higher education from top universities, like an MBA, can enrich your insights, but is that still the best option? Life’s uncertainty means plans can change unexpectedly. However, with the right strategies, you can navigate these challenges effectively.
Studies from Harvard Business School highlight that ongoing strategic planning helps individuals and organizations to remain agile and responsive to new opportunities and threats, and is the cornerstone for successful career strategies. A well-crafted career strategy brings clarity to one’s professional goals, how they can be achieved and how they align with personal values and aspirations. This alignment is crucial for sustained motivation and high performance.
A “purposeful and strategic career” promises success and countless possibilities. Strategic planning, essentially a roadmap, involves disciplined, long-term actions aimed at achieving desired outcomes. Let’s explore what it takes to build such an unstoppable career.
6 Steps for a Successful Career
It takes a long-term commitment and training to build a strategic career that inspires others. Here is a list of six such strategies that will help you build a robust and strategic career.
Establish a Stable Vision
Do you know why most of the working professionals fail in their careers? They lack vision. When it comes to strategic career goals, clarity is the key. You must be clear about your next steps, especially to yourself. If you have just graduated, what are your future plans? Will you opt for a job to gain experience, will you continue an academic path or start your own business?
Another study from Harvard Business Review shows that professionals with clearly defined career goals are 10 times more likely to build a successful and strategic career. A clear vision provides direction towards long-term goals, sustains motivation, enables strategic planning, and enables informed decision making and adaptability for continuous reassessment in response to new opportunities and industry trends.
It is Worth Investing in Yourself
Have you ever noticed times in your life when you performed better than others? What creates this difference? If you can’t find the answer, it’s time to invest in your self-development. Certified high-performance coaching can provide remarkable results in this area.
High-performance coaching is a well-defined and structured, evidence-based framework that empowers you with clarity, confidence, necessity, productivity, courage, and energy—the essential components of every successful career. Studies, such as those conducted by the High Performance Institute, have shown that structured coaching programs significantly enhance personal and professional performance, demonstrating improved goal achievement and overall life satisfaction.
Emphasize External Reputation
Are you someone who’s waiting for your internal circle to build you a successful and strategic career? Or are you waiting to get your promotion to match your expectations? Maybe that’s where you are lacking. A study by Wharton professor Matthew Bidwell revealed that external hires are more likely to benefit in terms of salary. Moreover, the companies are willing to pay 18-20% more to an external than to an internal worker who is promoted to a similar job.
But wait. That doesn’t mean you should keep switching your workplace again and again. That will negatively impact your career and resume in the long term too. But you can always cultivate a strong external reputation. That will keep you updated about emerging opportunities.
Think About Possibilities Even Amidst Problems
Who can deny the power of a positive mindset? Cultivating a healthy, positive mindset allows you to focus on opportunities rather than problems. Wondering how to build one? Start with practicing gratitude and establishing a constructive thought process. For instance, if someone criticizes your work, look at it constructively and identify areas for improvement.
Additionally, a structured lifestyle supports a positive mindset. Regular sleep, engaging in favorite activities, prioritizing self-care and fostering a supportive environment help guide your mind to be optimistic and productive. For more tips, check out our dedicated blog on building a positive mindset.
Develop Industry Related Skills
Every year, millions of students graduate and enter the job market. With so many holding degrees, what sets individuals apart? The answer is their ability to develop skills and stay relevant. To develop a strategic career, staying updated with industry trends, networking and attending relevant continuous education programs and conferences is crucial for gaining insights beyond your academic curriculum.
To build a purposeful career, start by identifying your goals—what do you want to achieve? Determine the knowledge and skills required to reach that position, and then focus on developing your specific expertise. Volunteering to lead initiatives or to solve problems at your community or your company is a powerful way to enhance your capabilities, gaining practical experience and demonstrating your value to any organization. This approach not only hones your problem-solving skills but also positions you as a proactive and valuable team member, distinguishing you in a competitive job market and helping you achieve long-term career success.
Always Build A Second Base For Your Success
One common career mistake is avoiding diversification and relying solely on one single career choice, which limits opportunities. While there may be promising prospects in your field, it’s wise to keep other options open. A recent study reveals that most people change careers at least once, and on average, experience 3-7 career switches before finding stability. To build a strategic career in today’s fast changing and evolving landscape, consider having at least 2-3 career options and developing sub-skills alongside your main field. This not only provides a competitive edge but also allows you to explore your interests more deeply.
A Way Forward
Building a strategic career is an ongoing journey that demands self-reflection, strategies, and action. The greatest tool for developing a purposeful and strategic career is a growth mindset that radiates positivity and productivity. Take time to plan your career strategically, understanding the importance of the required action. Once you have goals aligned and a vision established, nothing can stop you from achieving what you seek.
