Why do some professionals achieve higher levels of success than others? While it may be easy to assume that luck is the biggest differentiator, that is rarely the case. Instead, successful people embrace beneficial habits, allowing them to reach heights that may seem impossible to others.
By learning how they do what they do, you can elevate your career. If you aren’t sure where to begin, here are five habits successful people share that you can use, too.
1. Ownership of Their Careers
Successful professionals don’t leave their career development to chance. Instead, they identify the skills that can help them flourish and then work to acquire or hone them independently. They aren’t dependent on workplace training opportunities, so they are never stymied by a lack of company funding, educational systems, or other internal tools.
If you want to excel, take stock of your skillset. Next, research skill areas that could help you move up. Then, acquire any missing skills on your own time, allowing you to position yourself for the next step on your career path.
2. Driven to Negotiate
One key difference between successful people and the average professional often involves negotiating. If you never try to get a better deal – such as a higher starting salary or access to a promotion – your career won’t advance as quickly as it may otherwise.
Not only do you need to get comfortable with negotiating, but you need to develop your negotiation skills. That way, you can seize every opportunity.
3. Consistently Exceed Expectations
While your job may only require that you meet expectations, if you want to accelerate your career, then you need to aim higher. If you consistently exceed expectations, you’re showing that you’re capable of taking on more, something that can make you a more attractive candidate for promotional opportunities.
In many cases, the first step is to learn about your employer’s goals and priorities. That way, you can align your actions with them, making you a more valuable asset.
Beyond that, it’s all about motivation. You need to learn to push yourself to do more than the minimum, even if it isn’t necessary. This helps you develop a strong reputation, one that can serve you well during your career.
4. Learning from Failure
Every misstep in your career is an opportunity. It serves as a lesson at a minimum, letting you know what not to do down the line. The best-case scenario spurs growth, allowing you to become a more capable and resilient professional.
When you make a mistake, take ownership of the error. Examine the situation to see what went wrong and develop a plan for making it right. Then, execute that plan, ensuring that the outcome is as positive as possible.
5. Not Going It Alone
While taking ownership of your career is wise, that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. Having a reliable network that can help you on your journey is smart. Not only may they be able to offer you advice or serve as a sounding board, but they may also provide you with access opportunities that aren’t available otherwise.
Similarly, partnering with a recruitment agency is a smart move. You’ll gain access to job search allies who can help you tap into great promotional opportunities and assist with honing your resume and interviewing skills.
If you’re looking to take the next step in your career, the team at The Advance Group wants to hear from you. Contact us today.
