Setting yourself up for success is crucial in our competitive world. There is always one more step you can take to advance in your career and financial goals.

Your future self will appreciate how much time and effort you put into enhancing your knowledge and skill set. Start your journey to self-improvement by setting goals, taking development courses, networking, reading books, seeking additional experiences and connecting with a mentor. By taking a leap of faith, you’ll see yourself start to align with true happiness, confidence and new opportunities.

Goal setting

We set goals every day. We might not sit down to write about them or properly set a timeline, but we do have goals or daily tasks that we strive to accomplish. However, with long-term goals, it is important to have a well-thought-out plan. Once you have confirmed your objective is measurable, achievable and relevant, it’s time to set a deadline and share your progress periodically with at least one other person. By sharing your progress and setting a deadline, you can increase your chances of completing your goal by an astonishing 95%!

Development courses

We spend 12 years in grade school and then another four to six years after that seeking higher education. We love to learn as humans, so why do we stop after we have received a diploma? Continuously challenging ourselves through development courses is a perfect way to hone our skill set, making it possible to advance in our careers and earning potential.

Networking

Did you know that talking to your colleagues or staying in touch with your former college classmates isn’t just a way to pass the time? Connecting with others in your industry can lead to new job opportunities, additional knowledge and career advice. Make time to prioritize work relationships. Use platforms such as LinkedIn to easily stay connected and find new networking opportunities for a jumpstart into your dream position.

Reading

Reading is a fantastic method to keep your brain active, but it is important to take it a bit further to reach your full potential. Reading self-help books and staying up to date on the latest developments of your industry through articles will give you the extra boost you’re looking for. Having additional knowledge and strategies will push you to grow, while reading inspiring stories of others’ success will promote positive thinking.

Experience

Did you know that your resume is 91% more likely to be looked at if you have relevant experience listed? Employers want to see that you can take what you have learned and apply it to real-world situations. Additionally, with experience comes practice and, in some instances, skills that can not be learned in a classroom. Ways that you can accelerate your experience level include the following:

• Internships.
• Job shadowing.
• Community activities.

Remember, practicing makes close to perfect, and it certainly helps when looking to further your career.

Connecting with a mentor

Having a mentor can help you align yourself with your career and personal goals. Mentors are there to guide and provide honest feedback when needed while also celebrating your wins. While in the process of considering who to connect with, evaluate the following questions:

• Do they have relevant knowledge?
• Are they respectful?
• Are they empathetic?
• Can they invest their time in you?

If you are unsure where to begin, start by asking a manager or former professor who has had an influence on your life.

Are you ready to advance your skill and mindset to become a better you? Embark on your adventure by setting goals, taking development courses, networking, reading self-help books and relevant articles, gaining additional experience and establishing a mentoring relationship.

Lindsey Certonio is a project manager at Fullcast, a Silicon Slopes-based, end-to-end RevOps platform that allows companies to design, manage and track the performance of their revenue-generating teams.

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