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4 ways to take control over your career in a tough economy |
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Friday, 27 February 2009 |
I have a few questions for you. Who has greatest control over the direction of your career, the economy or you? What role do your personal actions play in your career outcomes? New York Times best selling author Larry Winget has written It's called work for a reason; your success is your own damn fault. I preface my comments with the reality that for some of you, Larry's style may not endear you to him. The truth sometimes hurts! Larry is an author, speaker and known as "The pit-bull of self development." He also has a very popular show on A&E called "The Big Spender."
You see, some people see their success as a result of a booming economy, the product they are working on or the boss they worked for. How many times have you heard, "They were at the right place at the right time." Their success seemingly was related to external circumstances. Vice-versa, some people see their failure as related to globalization, interest rate policy, the market or their boss. Both insights are incorrect. While yes, you may benefit or be negatively impacted by external elements, what role did your actions play in determining the success or failure? How we define success and failure in our career can also be related to our expectations. "I hate what I do for a living. I travel 250 days a year to do my 100 hours. I love my 100 hours, I hate my travel, I have no control over the trips, it is abuse from the time I leave my house till I arrive, however, I love the 100 hours so that is worth the trade." Larry understands that there is a certain reality in our work life and that you have to do a certain amount of grunt work to be successful in anything that you do. The question you should ask: is the rewards/grunt ratio working for you? If you have too high of expectations, you will never see work in a successful way. It will always be failure for you.
What is your success pattern? What is your failure pattern? What are your expectations?
One of the keys is to take responsibility for both your successes and your failures. Larry's key mantra in life is "understand your responsibilities and your rights." When you do this, it brings a true sense of personal control over outcomes. If you feel stuck in your current situation, I am going to suggest it is related to your own inner sense of what role you are playing. When you are clear about what you do well and what you have control over, you can then work on the elements that you have control over and take positive action towards something better. If you feel your success is a result of circumstances, then you are unlikely to want to change those circumstances. You can feel trapped in success and yet not happy. If you feel trapped in failure, then you may become bitter and angry with those around you. Both are not constructive. They are both routed in taking action over the things that you have control over and what you don't have control over?
1. Take ownership of your success and failure.
2. Look at what you do and don't have control over.
3. Take positive action with the things you have control over.
4. Set realistic expectations.
When you do those three things, it will get better. It may take lots of action or a little action but one thing I can guarantee is that it will take action. And either you take action or the market will take action upon you, ie. a layoff or demotion or some other challenging circumstance. It is always better to act than react. "The critical element people leave out to becoming successful is action. Get busy even if you are doing the wrong thing and you will find out sooner", said Larry. People who are successful in their careers take action with the things they have control over and accept the things that are not in their control. There are a lot of books about attitude. I think we need positive action; positive action will change your career and your life. Positive attitude - not necessarily. I would call action "the discipline of intent." Real change only comes when a plan is put into action.
Taking action, along the road with you!
Alan
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