Searching for Long-term Success? Don't Let Days Turn into Years

Searching for Long-term Success? Don't Let Days Turn into Years
One of my favorite quotes is your success can be no greater than your plans are sound. Sadly, though, too many of us “fly blind” in our lives and our careers. I should know. For a long time – eight years to be exact – I did the same thing. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do professionally, so I just took opportunities as they came to me. I thought I was happy. I had a job I enjoyed at a boutique communications firm and I was making decent money. Things were going well, right? Perhaps on the outside. But the truth was I couldn’t shake a nagging feeling something was missing in my life. That I was supposed to do more…something BIG… if only I could figure out what it was. I felt like I had this fireball of ambition growing, but absolutely nowhere to channel it. So I just sat back and let life happen to me for way too long. But then something did happen. (Unplanned and unforeseen by me of course… ) I changed jobs and went to work in an organization more than a hundred times larger than the communications firm. And after a few weeks of settling in to corporate life, someone asked me a question I’ll never forget. “Have you filled out your career plan yet?” Huh? My previous job, while quirky and fun in its own right, was simply too small and understaffed to have “career plans” for its employees, so I’d never been exposed to the concept. Once I found a copy of the plan, however, it was a total “light bulb” moment. “This is the framework that will help me find FOCUS in my career.” Hallelujah! [Insert audio of angels singing and clouds parting.] After almost a decade in the workforce, I finally had a document that would help me identify my goals and act on them. It was a turning point in my success and, now, I want to give YOU the tools to create your own career plan so you can truly get organized, get motivated, and get what you want. So I hope you’ll join me for a free CAREEREALISM webinar where I’ll show you step-by-step how to: - Identify your goals - Transform them from “wishful thinking” into serious action - Track your progress along the way Regardless of whether you’re in a large corporate environment, a small office, or work for yourself, a proactive approach to your career will help you achieve long-term success – and this session is full of all the information you need to get started. Don’t make the mistake I did and allow days to turn into years with no clear direction in your career. Sign-up now for a jam-packed hour that will help you hone in on your priorities and inspire you to take action to achieve them. Remember: Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there. Note: This webinar has already occurred. If you are interested in learning more on this topic, please e-mail Emily at ebennington@msn.com. Emily Bennington is the co-author of "Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job," a book written with her own post-college boss and mentor. Emily teaches a graduate-level course on professionalism and is passionate about helping career newbies become emerging leaders.The photo for this article is provided by Shutterstock
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