Moving On (and Up) In The Business World

The more you learn the better you become at what you do and the better your chances to move up will be. The learning process never ends, not even after death.

Therefore you should always be aware of any opportunity that may arise to grow and expand your horizons in your professional career. Always remember to:

1. Self-promote: you are the biggest promoter you will have. Nobody else will do a better job at promoting yourself and you. Make sure that you will do it in a professional manner.

2. Let everyone around you know that you are willing to learn more and eager to improve.

3. Ask for a review of your work or a particular project on a regular basis. This will help you know where your weaknesses are or areas that need improvement, will give you a chance to see what the decision-makers think about your work and gives you a forum to express your thoughts.

4. Be open and willing to take on more responsibilities or special projects, especially those that others do not want. Use every opportunity you have to grow, learn and show off. It’s your gig to loose so don’t hand it over to others.

5. Do not expect to get promoted simply because you know you deserve it. You know you do, your boss knows you do, but chances are a promotion, bonus or big raise will not come unless you specifically ask for it.

Use the opportunities presented above to let everyone who needs to hear it what you expect, why and when:

a. Determine what type of extra incentive you want. Are you more interested in a flexible schedule than on more money? Do you want more vacation time, a new title, a supporting team, etc.?

b. Talk to our superiors in a manner of dollars and cents. You are a valuable and asset to anyone but in the world of business out there, those characteristics are easily replaceable. Instead, tell them how much money you are making the company and how much you are saving them. Make sure they understand, in their own language, that they cannot afford to loose you.

c. If your request cannot be met in the immediate future, be sure to ask for specific times or deadline and follow-up at the end of the period. Again, it is your career and you should take control over it or nobody else will.

The time will come when for many reasons ranging from no growth opportunity to finished resources or future termination of a particular project, you may have realize that soon is time to move on to bigger and better opportunities.

If the spark, energy and passion that you felt at the beginning of your working experience is gone or, if you feel that you got to a point were are dissatisfied by the work you do, and your growth potential, you should be thinking about moving on to the next step in your professional career as most likely, you have already learned anything you could in this particular stage. You know in your heart of hearts that is time to move one.

Resist staying and joining the crowds of people that are somewhat unhappy with their careers but refrain from making a change because they are in denial. Keep your passion always in mind and remind yourself what your ultimately goals are.

Look within yourself for the strength you know you have to stand up, take the risks and reach for your own future of success, happiness and peace. Remember to take one step at a time but be in constant movement. Learn as much (or perhaps more) from the missteps as from the accomplishments.