no excuses - vivian blade · your career path, considering lateral moves for gaining the experience...

NO EXCUSES

MONTHLY GUIDE TO TRANSFORMING MY CAREERby Vivian Blade - Transformational Career Coach

NO EXCUSESMONTHLY GUIDE TO TRANSFORMING MY CAREER

Count the number of times you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to be more intentional about working on your career. By the end of January, work and life have gotten so busy, you haven’t done anything. ‘My career’ gets pushed farther down on your to do list.

Contributing to the problem is the fact that you don’t know what to do to manage your career, so you do nothing. Or, you sporadically try a little bit of ‘this’ and a little bit of ‘that’. How’s that working for you?

YOU make the biggest difference whether your career goes anywhere. If you’re not consistently, strategically and diligently taking action on your career, you’ll be disappointed with where you end up.

My best advice...don’t try to do everything at once. Your career is a marathon, not a sprint. Making a habit of taking one step every month will compound your progress over time.

Here’s your “No Excuses” Guide for the next twelve months°

READY. SET. TRANSFORM!

Print or download a copy of this guide for reference throughout the year. Adapt the timing based on the performance management cycle in your organization. You also can begin or pick back up anytime during the year…just go to the current month to get started!

©Vivian Hairston Blade [email protected] vivianblade.com

JANUARY

MY ACCOMPLISHMENT THIS MONTH:

OWN YOUR PERFORMANCE DISCUSSIONS.

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Take your performance review seriously. Take time to prepare well for your annual, mid-year and/or quarterly reviews. Track and document your accomplishments throughout the year rather than waiting until the last minute. Writing your performance outcomes as they occur is much easier and can best capture the significance of your contributions. Thoughtfully reflect on areas of strength and development. Get objective feedback from colleagues you trust. You also need to have some ideas about your career interests.

Keep the performance conversations going throughout the year. Your boss can be your biggest advocate or detractor based on knowledge of your impact and resulting perceptions of your value. Use the time to share what you’re working on and what you’ve accomplished. Regular updates are especially important if your company doesn’t have a formal performance review process.

FEBRUARY


SCHEDULE REGULAR UPDATES WITH YOUR BOSS.


MARCH


SHOWCASE YOUR WORK AND CAPABILITIES.


In addition to sharing your accomplishments with your boss, other leaders and influencers need to be aware of your work and capabilities. Set up periodic update meetings with project sponsors and key stakeholders to keep them abreast of your progress and contributions. Create opportunities for them to see you in action. Raise your hand to lead an important business priority. Speak up in meetings to share your opinions and ideas.

APRIL


UPDATE AND SHARE YOUR CAREER GOALS�


What kind of work interests you? What are you good at? What do you want to learn more about? What are your longer-term interests? Taking all of these

reflections into consideration, explore potential roles where you can contribute, learn and grow. Get advice on the progression of your career path, considering lateral moves for gaining the experience and skills necessary for success long term. Share your career interests with your boss, a mentor, your HR business partner, and leaders in your areas of interest.

MAY


ASSESS YOUR CURRENT SITUATION FOR ALIGNMENT AND POTENTIAL.


family, faith, values, career, finances, social, giving back. Does your current role align with your priorities and goals? Are you learning and growing? Do you have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution? Are you living up to your potential? Do you look forward to coming to work every day? Might there be a path to achieving your personal and career goals? Answers to these questions can help you assess when it might be time to move on.

Make a difference! You won’t be considered for promotions if you’re not seen as a high performer. Connect your work to the company’s important priorities. Remember, it’s not just ‘what’ you do, but equally, if not more, important is how you go about getting work done. Treat people respectfully and be a team player. Schedule time at the end of each quarter to review your progress.

JUNE


MAKE SURE YOU’RE TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS IN YOUR CURRENT ROLE.


JULY


FIND OUT HOW CAREER PROGRESSION WORKS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION.


There are formal and informal practices around how companies manage talent and career progression. Gain insight on

how the process works at different levels, when talent discussions occur, who are in those discussions, and what is discussed. Use that insight to inform your personal career management approach.

AUGUST


GET EVEN BETTER AT WHAT YOU’RE ALREADY GOOD AT.


Focus more on using the skills and expertise that are strengths so you can knock the ball out of the park in your work. This will help you build momentum for recognition as a high performer. Prioritize development of your strengths so that you have a solid foundation of skills to build on.

If you’re the person who says, “I keep to myself at work because I don’t want other people to know my business,” you’re hindering yourself. To be successful in your career, you need a variety of professional relationships - allies to help you get things done, and advocates who are willing to speak up on your behalf. Be intentional about making connections with people internally. You don’t have to tell all your business, but you do have to be relatable.

SEPTEMBER


BUILD AND STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS.


Join a professional association to meet people in your industry while expanding your knowledge. Volunteer for a non-profit to share your expertise and work with people outside your industry. Cultivate those relationships over time by staying in touch and doing a good deed.

OCTOBER


ENGAGE A MENTOR & BE A MENTOR.


Whether you’re navigating your career path, organizational politics, or working through a challenge, the right mentor for the situation can be an

invaluable resource. Define your needs and reach out to a leader, peer or subordinate who might be able to help. Make yourself available to serve as a mentor when someone could use your guidance.

As you consider your future career path, what type of work or specific roles interest you? What experience and skills does it take to land those roles and to be successful? What is the day-to-day really like? Informational interviews with people who are currently in or have been in those roles are a great way to gain first-hand insight. People are honored that you have an interest in hearing their story. This also provides an opportunity to expand your network, allowing others to get to know you, as well.

NOVEMBER


REQUEST INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS.


As you close out another year, reflect on the

your career. Take what

past eleven months to prepare for the year ahead. Take some time to refresh mentally, spiritually and relationally.

DECEMBER


REFLECT AND REFRESH.


ACCELERATE YOUR PROGRESS! Need feedback and accountability in putting these monthly habits to work? I’m here to help! Schedule a time for your complimentary, "no obligation” 15 minute consultation to find out how working with me can make a huge difference in your outcomes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

AS YOU APPROACH A NEW YEAR, START THIS PROCESS AGAIN. KEEP THE PROGRESS GOING!


Vivian Blade works with the world's top companies to fuel incredible leadership, and with ambitious professionals to fuel incredible careers. She is a recognized author, keynote speaker, executive coach, and leadership / professional development expert. Vivian’s passion is to Build Leaders and Develop Excellence, empowering organizations and individuals to achieve their greatest potential.

Click here for my calendar

CONTACT VIVIAN:

• 502-419-2433

• [email protected]

• vivianblade.com

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no excuses - vivian blade · your career path, considering lateral moves for gaining the experience...

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