Take Stock and Take Action

To assess your commitment to creating value in your career, order the six statements below from the one that best describes you to the one that least describes you.

1. I do my part.
2. I am patient in waiting for opportunities to advance my career.
3. I am not ready to move forward professionally.
4. I am preparing for a successful future.
5. The future is now; I am seizing opportunities daily.
6. I can create the professional conditions I need for success.

To move yourself toward 100% percent personal commitment and make statements 4, 5 and 6 the ones that best describe you, what kinds of actions could you take? For example,

• I am getting up earlier each morning, energized to make things happen.
• I review my goals each day and prepare a daily action plan.
• As appropriate, I share my sense of commitment when speaking with colleagues and clients.
• I ask for help when I need it.
• I openly show my passion for what I do.

Write down three goal-oriented behaviors you are committed to living over the next 90 days.

Source: Creating Value: Your 90 Day Plan to Right Tracking Your Career by Joey D. Havens, CPA, and Dr. Joseph Paul.

Editor’s Note: This is a Web exclusive sidebar to “Right Track Your CPA Career,” by Joey D. Havens and Michael Hayes, in the February 2009 issue of the JofA.