| Except in rare instances, achieving success is no accident. And hope, by itself,
will not navigate you to your goal. Although it’s true that luck often plays a role,
even a streak of good fortune isn’t enough without planning and determination.
The following checklist provides some solid tips for building a successful career. - Develop excellent work habits—for example, meet deadlines and don’t procrastinate.
- Read extensively about your primary career area. “Own” your profession by developing a disciplined reading program, so you’ll be aware of trends and developments.
- Practice team playing—learning from colleagues and sharing your knowledge. Beware of hubris.
- Know both your job and your organization’s expectations, and be sure they’re on the same track.
- Set goals, write them down and evaluate your progress.
- Focus on understanding your clients/customers. Come up with strategies that add value for them.
- Don’t dodge administrative tasks—it upsets most supervisors.
- Volunteer for outside activities: Accept assignments to speak to outside groups, lead professional panels and write articles for professional journals.
- Build executive communication skills and cultivate an executive persona by reading books on the subject and attending seminars.
- Take risks with personal development, acknowledging both strengths and weaknesses; build on strengths and correct weaknesses.
- Seek out notables both inside and outside your profession, and watch and learn from winners.
- Always seek opportunities. Success is not a sweepstakes waiting for the knock at the door.
- If your employer does not emphasize learning and achievement, move on.
- Think big—but always manage the details.
- Take manageable risks. Remember, without occasional failures, success is unlikely.
| | Source: Rowbotham & Co., a worldwide network of accounting and consulting firms. | |
