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"Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."- Francis of Assisi  After the long holidays, we are all now back to work. Some of us are having a great time, while others are not happy to wake up and go to work every day. With the amount of time we spend at work, I firmly believe that we need to enjoy work more. Thinking beyond your day to day job and more about finding fulfillment on your career journey will broaden your perspective.
Studies show that about 60% of women like to set career goals for themselves and 74% of women globally in junior or middle manager level positions expressed aspirations of reaching senior or executive leadership ranks within their organization. To get desired results in your career, you need to act. Career growth should be on your list of goals for 2019. Continuing our thoughts on what we can do for ourselves, let's prioritize growing our careers and taking action. In this blog post, we will explore ways you can ensure you get the results you want at work. Own your career development To continuously grow in your career, it is essential to have a career development plan. Think about what you want to achieve in your career in the short, mid and long term. It is a missed opportunity to take the approach of "let's see where my career takes me" or “ I’ll see what my company will do for me.” Take an active approach to discovering where you want to be and working towards it. Learn more practical ways to Own your career development from my previous blog post. Remember that you are responsible for building the great career you desire and that it is possible. Talk about your work A great way to show your value and contribution is to make your work visible. Many women I talk to struggle with talking about the great work they are doing and their unique contribution to their company. Practice sharing highlights of what you are working on at any opportunity you get at work. Share some lessons you learned and the great results you have produced. If you aspire to get more recognition for your work, start talking about your accomplishments today. Discover more ways to Celebrate your professional achievements. Find Mentors and Sponsors Identifying the people who can serve as advocates and support you with your career development is a great contributor to your career growth. You need a mentor who will give friendly advice, build relationships and help you improve. A sponsor, on the other hand, can support you to get to the next level and help you get ahead. In a previous blog post titled How to find professional Sponsors, I shared some practical tips that can assist you on your quest. An additional piece of advice that I would like to share; seek out mentors and sponsors way before you need them and invest time in building relationships. The more they know about you and your work, the better they can support you. Build your network Having a community of people who are working on developing their careers will help you propel your career. Sometimes networking sounds daunting because we think of growing a massive network of people rather than making connections with our peers and industry partners. Great ways to start building your professional network include attending events, conferences, talks, and trainings. Discover more practical tips from my blog post How to build a professional network. Seek out new opportunities To find fulfilling work, you may need to look outside your day to day responsibilities for new opportunities. An essential part of women's satisfaction at work comes from doing more meaningful work and having opportunities to make a difference. Seek out work that provides you some satisfaction and growth opportunities. Depending on where you work, this may be a gradual process, be patient and persistent. Explore more tips on How to take Initiative at work from my previous blog post. Call to Action Where do you want to go in your career? Write down 3 things you want to achieve at work over the next year and 3 more longer-term career goals. Take a step today. Final Thoughts
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"Hold up a mirror and ask yourself what you are capable of doing, and what you really care about. Then take the initiative - don't wait for someone else to ask you to act. " - Sylvia Earle  In an in-depth conversation I had recently with a fellow boss lady, we discussed the successes we have experienced as a result of us taking the initiative and seeking out opportunities. We also discussed the need we see daily for more women to be bold and take the initiative. Isn't it interesting that the verb used in relation with Initiative is “taking”? This highlights the need for us to take action.
In this blog post, I want to encourage you to take the initiative with the help of some useful techniques and resources. What does Initiative mean?
Why do you need to take Initiative?
Why don’t we take Initiative? To understand this more, I did some research to find the top reasons why people don't take Initiative.
Five ways to start taking the initiative Make the decision Be clear on the benefits of taking the initiative in your career development. Decide to start taking the initiative today and take the first step. When you decide to start taking the initiative, good things start unfolding, and opportunities come your way. Questions to consider:
Seek out development opportunities Now that you have decided to start taking the initiative, be on the lookout for things you are interested in and care about. Take full responsibility for your development and start identifying ways to make it happen. Questions to consider:
Work on extra projects Showing that you can take the initiative and work on projects that may be outside of your daily responsibilities has many benefits. If you are looking for a way to gain visibility and set yourself apart, working on a side project is a great way. Use every opportunity you get to show your value. Questions to consider:
Stay informed and current Connect yourself to people who know what happens within the company. They will provide you with insight into the events that you can benefit from. Staying informed and aware is a crucial part of taking Initiative. Questions to consider:
Surround yourself with other "Initiative Takers." The best way to cultivate a habit of taking Initiative is by surrounding yourself with others who believe in the power of taking initiatives. You can inspire and get inspiration from this group of people. Questions to consider:
Final Thoughts Let's wrap up this post with some great quotes about taking the initiative
Great Resources
 In job interviews, you are often asked: "what motivates you." Interestingly this question is only asked before you start a job. However, it is a valuable question you should repeatedly ask yourself as you get deeper into your job responsibilities. This topic is very close to my heart because I see many people around me who don't feel motivated at work. With all the time we spend at work, it is essential to enjoy it.
The primary objective of this post is to encourage you to be in the driver's seat when it comes to your motivation at work. Often motivation is talked about as if we have to depend on others to motivate us. Earlier in my career, I tied my motivation to things my managers or team did. It became exhausting as I was often disappointed and in turn easily demotivated. Once I decided to make a change and start being self-motivated, I found more happiness at work. Why do you need to be motivated? There are many benefits of being motivated at work that you want to tap into:
How to stay motivated at work Let's explore five ways to take control of staying motivated at work #1: Do work that you enjoy The concept of being able to enjoy the work that you do is one I have been pondering on lately. Does it mean that you have to enjoy every task you do? The answer that gives me peace is, no you don't have to enjoy every single aspect of your job. The key is to identify the one thing you like doing at work and do it well. Although you might have to do things you don't like, now you have something that makes you smile. #2: Build a peer motivation community Camaraderie and peer motivation are significant factors for employee motivation. Build your support group of co-workers and other colleagues that help one another stay motivated. I encourage you to surround yourself mostly with co-workers who are positive and motivated. You will begin to see great results in your attitude and motivation at work. #3: Own your professional development One of the reasons we feel stuck is that we fail to plan our careers. An excellent way to avoid getting to that point is to have a professional development plan. Ensure you set goals and work towards them. Working towards your career goals will not only help you grow professional it will also help you stay motivated. #4: Check your motivation gauge regularly Be aware of the circumstances that affect your motivation negatively. Make it a priority to check in with yourself and adjust accordingly. Personally, checking in on how I'm doing at least once a month helps me. I notice that if I let too much time pass without checking in, I miss key signals that highlight the need to make a change. #5: Stay connected to your professional network Some great ways to get instant motivation at work include keeping your skills current, being mentored, reading industry journals as well as attending events and conferences. Staying connected to other professionals outside your day to day team provides you with a needed fresh perspective. I've found inspiration from my professional network. Keeping your inner fire burning is crucial! Final Thoughts Here are the Top 10 lessons I have learned about staying motivated at work
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What is your career development plan?  In recent conversations, I heard women say that they expect their managers or companies to drive and invest in their career development. Early on in my career, I realized that it was my responsibility to ensure that I was advancing, growing and learning. I seized the opportunity and started creating my career development plan. Reflecting on where I am today and how my career has evolved and changed over time, I value my decision to own my development. I encourage you today to take charge and enjoy all the benefits of being in the driver's seat of your career development.
In this post, we will define career development, debunk three common myths and explore five ways you can start owning your growth today. For further reading and in the context of this post, career development and professional development are used interchangeably. What is career development?
What are some benefits of planning your Career development? Taking a more active approach to your career development has the following benefits:
Three common myths about career development Myth 1: My company will help me develop my career The expectation that your company will set you up for success in your career might lead to disappointment. If your company provides development opportunities, be sure to take advantage. However, if they don't, seek out opportunities to make it happen for yourself. Be ready to invest in your development. Myth 2: My manager is responsible for my career development Owning your career development planning is key. Your manager can support you in implementing your plan. However, it is your responsibility to take charge of the implementation of your plan and shaping your career. Myth 3: Career growth will come naturally All good things demand some effort and work. You need to take an active role in your career development to get the career you desire. Don't leave your career growth to chance or circumstances. Your steering and managing are required to have the great career you want. How to own your Career development Let's explore five simple steps to own and shape your career development. Set your career goals Where are you now in your career? Where do you want to be in one year, three years, five years? You should have clear answers to these questions. However, if you don't have the answers, that's perfectly fine. Start thinking about your career goals today and write them down. Think freely, don't limit yourself, think of all the great things you can achieve in your career. This activity will help give you clarity and a sense of purpose for your career. MC's Tip: Be as specific as possible. For example: By January 2019, I want to transition into a new role as a Product Manager in my current company. Create your career development plan What do you need to do to achieve your goals? If you want to succeed, you need to have a plan. Take a more in-depth look at what activities are necessary to achieve your goals. Remember to set due dates for the activities. Also, make it a priority to revisit your development plan regularly and keep your plan current to where you are in your career. MC's Tip: Break down the tasks you need to do to achieve your goal. For example: To become a Product Manager, I need to gather more information about the role, inform my manager, get product management training and search for open positions. Take steps to get where you want Now that your goals are clear, and you have a plan, it is time to take the first step towards the career you want. Making progress towards your goals is the best motivation on your journey. We achieve our career development goals by taking ownership and taking a step. Remember to track your achievements and progress. MC's Tip: Do something today. For example: Contact someone working in the role you want and invite them to have a cup of coffee. Expand your support system Having access to people with experience, insight, and information will help you get ahead in your career. Be sure to invest time in building a network that propels your career growth. A great support system should consist of a mix of mentors, sponsors, colleagues, champions, and partners. The people that form your support system can serve as accountability partners, share knowledge, celebrate you, give you advice and feedback. The crucial role of your professional network in your career growth can't be stressed enough. MC's Tip: Find people who have experience in the areas you are interested in. For example: Join a professional network of Product Managers and start taking in knowledge of the community. Build your professional portfolio Your portfolio is an organized collection of relevant documents and artifacts that showcase your talents, most relevant skills, and charts your professional growth. (Source: Developing a Professional Portfolio). Spend time building your professional portfolio that has information about you and your professional journey. As you progress in your career, show and share your achievements and your experience that showcase your professional identity. MC's Tip: Your portfolio should contain proof that you have put in the work to get where you are. For example: Add relevant knowledge, experience, and successes that will make you a great Product Manager. Let your portfolio speak for you. Final Thoughts
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When was the last time you celebrated your achievements?  Today, we are going to make time to celebrate your achievements. Every time I watch award shows I look forward to the lifetime achievement awards category. They typically dedicate some time to look back at what the person has achieved and highlight some results. Until it's your time to be honored on a major stage, start celebrating yourself on your stage. You might feel like you haven't achieved a lot - I beg to disagree. We achieve small, medium and big things every single day and don't even recognize them. When you start acknowledging your achievements, your perspective on your experience changes.
In this post, we will discuss some practical tips as well as the benefits of tracking and celebrating your achievements. Generally, achievements and accomplishments are used interchangeably in this post. Also, I would like to share the great research done on this topic see the "Great Resources" section at the end of this post. What are achievements/accomplishments? My favorite dictionary definitions are:
What are the benefits of tracking your achievements? With the help of your achievement log you can:
How to celebrate your achievements Let's explore five simple ways you can start celebrating your accomplishments today. Create your achievement log As with every great thing we do, we want to be able to refer to it. Make it a practice to write down your achievements. Document the situation, your contribution and the results. Being able to review your achievements and share them provides you with a boost and motivation to do more. Some great places to share your achievements log include your CV/Resume, LinkedIn profile, and all relevant platforms. Also, include quotes from the positive feedback you received from your clients, colleagues or boss. Valuing your achievements coupled with having trusted people confirm them is huge. Know your achievements and talk about them Especially in your professional life, there are key events when you are asked about your successes and contributions. You want to have them readily available to share. Your achievement log will serve this purpose and help you prepare for yearly performance review, an interview, a request for a pay raise, promotion request or introduction to a new project team. Now when someone asks you what your most significant achievement is, you have a quick place to look, and you can confidently share. Track metrics and results As you make progress every day, you want to make sure you capture metrics as well as the positive results you have contributed to. For some reason, people respond very well to achievements that are quantified and have positive results. Read about your industry standards on metrics that matter and track them. With the help of relevant metrics, it's easy to measure your progress and track accomplishments. Review your achievements regularly Are you looking for a boost or motivation? Reviewing your achievements will give you a confidence boost. Set aside time at the end of every week and month, to review your accomplishments and highlight the results that stand out. Your log should be a living document. Remember to add new achievements and update old ones with relevant information. Celebrate milestones along the way The end goal is important, however achieving critical milestones on your way is even more significant. Celebrate the small milestones as well. Especially when the results are not visible for a long time, it is important to celebrate small achievements along the way. The fact that you are still on your journey is a significant accomplishment. For example, completing a module on your way to your masters is an accomplishment. It might look small to you, but you are one step closer. You did it! Final Thoughts
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Do you have a professional network?  Your network is a valuable asset on your professional journey. To rise to the next level professionally, you need to connect to a community of professionals. Especially if you live in a new country, you probably lack the network that locals might have. The good news is that you can build a professional network at any phase of your journey.
Are you jaded from hearing about networking and building networks? There is a way to make it work for you. In this post, I will share my experience and eight strategies I have applied to develop my professional network. My Journey Although my career started in Germany, I didn't learn the value of building a professional network until I moved to the US. When I moved here, I had no connections, the business culture was very different, and I didn't have any professional references. I quickly realized that I needed to prioritize building my network to grow professionally. I identified the first steps and started building my network. Some of the activities that have helped me so far include attending events at least once monthly, growing my LinkedIn connections, taking classes and volunteering. My network has provided great benefits such as vast industry knowledge, referrals to new opportunities, mentoring and sponsorship. Till today, I am still building my professional network. Why should you have a network? There are many benefits of a professional network, such as:
How to grow your network Let’s discover practical strategies you can apply to build your professional network. Define your objectives for your network When you are building your network, it is essential to be clear on what you want to get out of it. Do you want access to a forum to discuss industry trends, opportunities for personal growth or more? With a clear objective, you will be able to build a network that provides you with what you need. For example: if are you looking to get a new job you should prioritize connecting with people who work at your desired companies. Also, as your objectives change over time, make sure you re-evaluate your needs at every phase of your journey. MC's Tip: Your network can provide you more than your next Job. Look for other benefits you can derive from your network. Prioritize your offline network In a world where we communicate mainly online, we tend to neglect our in-person network. It is vital to develop and value your offline network as well. 1 in four people don't network at all (Source: [Infographic] – 6 Statistics On Networking And Steps For Future Success). Make sure you are building in-person connections. Relationships that begin offline tend to be more successful than purely online relationships. MC's Tip: When you meet people, remember to make a great first impression. Develop your online network As a professional woman, you should actively grow your professional networks platforms that are relevant in your line of business. Personally, LinkedIn has been the platform I have invested in developing over the past three years. Statistics show that 51% of people don't have LinkedIn profiles - the number is higher with female professionals (Source: [Infographic] – 6 Statistics On Networking And Steps For Future Success). If you don't have an up to date profile on a professional network, start building one. I was extremely proud to see an eighteen-year-old lady in my network on LinkedIn. MC's Tip: Don't shy away from sending invitations to people you don't know. Add a personal note if possible. Remember it's about growing your network. Also, ask people you trust to make introductions. I learned that when I reached out and asked people in my network if they knew anyone in a particular field, they were willing to share and connect me with people they knew. Prepare your professional portfolio When you communicate with your network, you want to ensure that you have your portfolio ready. You should be able to express who you are professionally and what your goals are. In my blog post Building your professional portfolio, you can find some personal insights on how to build your professional portfolio. MC's Tip: Depending on the norms in your Industry equip yourself with the professional tools. Always have your business card, project portfolio, website, LinkedIn profile ready to share. Contribute to your network It has been proven that we get more value from our network when we give. If you only take from your network, you will lose the impact of your network. Don't you get tired of people who reach out to you to ask for a recommendation or favor but who haven't given back to you or other people in your network? We don't want to be those people. MC's Tip: Think of what you can give not only want you can receive. We all have something to offer our network. For example, you might be able to provide industry knowledge. Attend networking events Find events around topics you are interested in and attend them. At a lot of the invents I attend I see a deficiency of women and even less women of color. Let's get out there, learn and make the connections. Personally, I commit to attend at least one event every month round a topic that inspires me. In my post How to get the most value from Events, I shared practical activities that will help you benefit from the networking events you attend. MC's Tip: Make time to attend events. Even when you are busy, you want to ensure you are still making time to network. Volunteer at organizations Think about giving your time for a cause you support and getting something in return. If there are professional networks in your industry, make it a point to join them. One of the first steps I took when I moved to the US was to join my local Project Management Institute volunteer management team. Volunteering helped me to extend my network and meet a lot of great project managers. MC's Tip: Volunteering is a fun and committed way to grow your network and give back. Join an organization and start volunteering. Maintain your connections Last but not the least, as with every relationship you need to maintain your network. A few months ago LinkedIn added a feature that reminds you to connect with someone you haven't interacted with in a few years. Why wait to be reminded? Start reconnecting with people in your network. I recently started reconnecting with people I haven't connected with in a while on a weekly basis. It's been a great way to revive dead connections. MC's Tip: Reconnecting with people in your network will keep your network alive. Reach out to selected people in your network on a monthly basis. Final Thoughts
Great Resources
Do you have a professional portfolio?  When I started my new job in US, no one knew about the work I had done previously and who I was professionally. I had to introduce myself professionally. I found it very difficult to talk about the work I had done and my accomplishments. I quickly learned the importance of having my professional portfolio and started creating one to cover my work experience in Germany. Today, in addition to my regular Resume/CV, my professional portfolio is a crucial artifact in my toolkit. I encourage everyone to create and maintain your professional portfolio. In this post, I share some fundamental principles and my Mentees’ journey to creating her and maintaining her professional portfolio. This post is co-authored by Jovian Chen. What is a professional portfolio?
Why do you need a professional portfolio? I like the view shared in the themuse article "Why You (Yes, You) Need a Professional Portfolio" on why you need a professional portfolio. “Think of it like this: As a professional (regardless of your field), you are a business of one. When a company chooses to employ you, it is “purchasing” your business’ service. You can think of your professional portfolio as a marketing brochure for the services you are selling. By showcasing your skills, abilities, and achievements, your portfolio helps your customers (your employers) and prospects (your potential future employers) understand what services you provide and why they are special—and worth the purchase price!” Your professional portfolio can help you do the following:
Jovian's journey Jovian is an Asian American who grew up in Southern California. She is a thriving interactive Project Manager. She specializes in leading User experience and Innovation projects. How long have you been keeping your professional portfolio? I have been keeping a work portfolio for almost two years now. Initially, my only existing documentation of my work experience was my resume, but I realized that the descriptions I had were very high-level. Resumes are great for providing an overview of my entire career and educational background for recruiters, but my portfolio enabled me to have growth conversations within my company that extend beyond three bullet points. Similar to how resumes are updated continuously, I do the same for my work portfolio. Why do you have a professional portfolio? I started keeping a portfolio at the suggestion of Marie-Christin, who has been an amazing mentor and professional sponsor to me. Keeping a portfolio allows me to share updates during our monthly check-ins easily. It provided a visual overview of the skills I have acquired and challenges that I have faced on various projects. My portfolio also served a key role in starting a conversation on the promotion process with my manager. Most importantly, I was able to set aside time to reflect on my career path and receive feedback. How did you build your professional portfolio?
What is the most significant benefit of having your portfolio? How has it helped you so far? In addition to my resume, Linkedin profile, and personal website, my portfolio is a centralized workspace where I can take a deep dive analysis into my career trajectory. Each version helps me track milestones in my professional journey. I encourage you to do the same! I know that several years later, I will be able to look back and piece together my journey and track my growth. It is helpful to see how my goals have evolved. Now I have a reference document whenever I am asked about my background and work experience. What were some of the challenges you faced initially or still encounter with your portfolio?
Lesson 1: Set actionable goals each time you make an update on your portfolio. Ask yourself:
Lesson 3: Share this with someone that can help you achieve your goals. Learning from other people’s experiences is extremely valuable, and it is essential to start building a community that will support you. Final thoughts
Great resources
Jovian's Example  Having professional sponsors is crucial for your career advancement.  At recent events that I attended, the essential role sponsors play in our career advancement has been discussed and promoted. My motivation for writing on how to find sponsors increased following the feedback I received after I shared my insights from WIL Conference 2018 in a recent blog post.
In this post, I will share some valuable information and tips I found during my research on who a sponsor is, benefits of having sponsors and effective ways to find sponsors. This post is very personal as I recently did not get a promotion I deserved and worked hard for because I did not have sponsors that supported me during the process. I am taking the opportunity to act and find my sponsors. Starting point - We women need sponsors to be successful in our careers. Let's start by looking at some facts:
Who is a sponsor? There are many definitions of sponsors and the roles they play. These are some that resonated with me:
What is the difference between a mentor and a sponsor? Sponsors and mentors are a very crucial part of our professional journey. It is key to understand that they serve different purposes. The following points outline some differences between mentors and sponsors:
How can sponsors support you? Here are some ways sponsors can provide value and support you on your professional journey. Increase your advancement opportunities Advancement and progress in our careers keeps us motivated and happy. Good sponsors help you advance by speaking out for you when it matters the most. During my research, I found some statistics that support the point that women with sponsors are more likely to advance in their careers: (Source: Don’t Just Mentor Her, Sponsor Her).
Assists you in navigating the complexity of your organization and industry Our professional journey is very complex. Imagine how much further you can go if you have someone within your company that helps you navigate complexity. Especially as women of color, we should get all the support we need. Research from the Center for Talent Innovation shows that the vast majority of women (85 percent) and multicultural professionals (81 percent) need navigational help. (Source: Big Idea 2014: Find a Sponsor Who Believes In Your Potential). Get all the support you can get on your journey. What do I need to do to find effective sponsors? As with everything we desire, we need to act to get the outcomes we want. The tips below serve as a starting point to get you started on your journey. Prepare yourself To make yourself desirable for a sponsor there are some things you can start learning to do and practicing. It is essential for you to know what you bring to the table.
Search for sponsors When search for a sponsor it is essential for them to be a fit and can support you in the ways you need them to. There are many ways to begin your search for sponsors as outlined below:
Build your relationship with your sponsors Building your relationship with your sponsors is essential. You would want to meet with your sponsors regularly. I would recommend at least every quarter. As with every relationship find the right frequency that works best for you and your sponsors. Offer your sponsors something Sponsors will need to invest some time with you, make it valuable for them. Think of ways you can give back to your sponsor for example:
Final Thoughts
Great resources For your self-study, I am sharing links to all the articles referenced in this post:
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