How do you measure your career success? Ultimately, most of us want fulfilling careers that make us happy. But in getting there, it's important for each of us to take stock and define the metrics that mean success in our own unique journeys. Do you measure success by your job title or salary, the number of people reporting to you, a high-dollar sale, the number of your LinkedIn connections, or the size of your office?
I've often thought about how to define and measure success, and have landed on a few key strategies that have helped over the years. Here are some tips.
Outline your professional development goals
This might sound like a no-brainer, but not all young professionals do this – I know I didn’t at first. When creating your professional development goal outline, you’ll want focus on a couple aspects.
- Define your goal. What is your dream job?
- From there, you will set up smaller, measurable goals – milestones, if you will – to help you achieve your end goal.
Smaller measurable goals could come in the form of obtaining certification in your field of interest; finding and working with a mentor; attending an industry networking event; contributing to a company project that helps you gain experience within and outside your desired field; and joining a professional development peer network such as Generation Next.
Don’t forget to track the milestones of your journey, as these are measurable and a nice way to take stock of your achievements over the years.
Step outside your comfort zone
Although tough to measure, you will know when you are in unfamiliar territory! Stepping away from your safe harbor will allow you to grow by gaining experiences that you wouldn’t normally access if you stayed in your comfort zone. It allows you to meet new people and gain different skill sets along the way. Make note of every time you step outside of your comfort zone and add this to your milestone log within your professional development outline.
Join an association
Joining an association helps you set an the intention to prioritize your professional goals, and, for some of you, might also be a way to step outside your comfort zone. Joining Generation Next, NTEA’s professional development group for early industry careerists, is a strong step in that direction. Make sure you maximize your time in this group by taking advantage of opportunities to network, gain industry insight, discover career development strategies, sharpen your leadership skills, and much more. Members: Visit the member portal for more. Not a member yet? Learn more about the benefits of joining Generation Next.
Final words
When you follow these simple guidelines, you will be on your way to efficiently measuring your own success. Ultimately, you want a fulfilling career that makes you happy. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake or take the wrong path. Learn and grow from the journey. Best of luck!