1. LEADERSHIP STARTS BEFORE THAT PROMOTION
“20 Ways to Become a Better Leader Right Now” by John Brandon
We’re repeatedly challenged throughout our careers, whether we’re starting at the bottom as interns or run our own successful companies. It is our responsibility to get the most out of our work hours, and that means taking the extra step toward leadership. Whether you’re new to the idea or have already successfully lead multiple teams, this article proves that accepting failure, rewarding creativity, and reveling in success are just a few ways to boost your leadership skills.
2. VOLUNTEER AND DO IT OFTEN
“5 Career-boosting Reasons You Should Volunteer (in Addition to Being a Good Person)” by Kat Boogaard
We’ve been encouraged to volunteer since a young age (remember those bake sales?), and developing into a working professional is not an excuse to stop. Volunteering not only helps the community, it also encourages you to grow as a human being. This article gives five reasons why volunteering is great for your career (as if you needed a reason to do it other than helping people), and it also points out some positive career-changing outcomes you may not have considered.
3. NEED A CREATIVE BOOST? EXERCISE
“Regular Exercise Is Part of Your Job” by Ron Friedman
We hear again and again how exercise is important to our daily health and longevity. It prevents disease and depression, but did you know if affects our mental health at work as well? Those runs or gym sessions sharpen our minds, and the resulting endorphins motivate us to do better work. Exercising can even help you be more creative, which is always useful no matter your career path.
4. TRASH THAT SINGLE CAREER PATH
“There’s No Such Thing As a ‘Career Path'” by Glynnis MacNicol
Ah yes, the career path. We all know it’s a beautifully paved road that leads into the gleaming sunset, right? Not so much. It’s more like an overgrown, mismatched cobblestone path leading somewhere we can’t quite see in the dark (and does it look like rain?). But cheer up: this article breathes light into the fact that we may think we have it all planned out, but that it never works out the way we envisioned. Opportunities disappear, but new ones crop up—and it’s okay to adjust accordingly.
5. TAKE RISKS. SPECIFIC ONES. OFTEN.
“7 Reasons Why Risk-Taking Leads To Success” by Julie Zeilinger
Risks. The scariest parts of our daily lives, and sometimes for good reason. Skydiving? No thank you. Still, certain risks can be the best things we do. More often than not, we look back on our past risks and realize we’ve strengthened ourselves through that resolve. Let the words of this article sink in and perhaps practice more frequent risk-taking. Your career will thank you.
6. STOP BLOWING OFF YOUR FINANCES
It can be hard to save money, especially when you’re just starting out in your career. Maybe you made a big move cross-country, haven’t had time to grow your skillset, or you’re still searching for your dream job. This article is both relatable and eye-opening, helping us all feel a little better about our circumstances while also reminding us that tough times are no excuse to avoid taking some financial responsibility.
7. THERE’S STUFF HOLDING YOU BACK—DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT
“7 Things that Hold People Back from Being Successful” by Shana Lebowitz
Sometimes your greatest enemy is yourself. This piece calls out your self-sabotaging tendencies and addresses how to break them. Because taking care of them now will make it much easier for you to conquer your fears and advance your career—or just be happy where you are.
8. REALLY, TRULY, ACTUALLY MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME
“9 Things Productive People Do Differently” by Ron Friedman, Ph.D.
On a bad day, it can prove incredibly difficult to give full attention to your job. Maybe you’re thinking of your upcoming vacation or you just simply want to shut your brain off for few hours. Being productive is an obvious skillset everyone needs to build a strong career, but figuring out where to start can prove difficult. This article explains what those productive people we idolize do differently. Perhaps it will encourage you to do the same.
9. FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR JOB AGAIN
“6 Ways to Fall in Love with Your Job All Over Again” by Laura Vanderkam
Jobs really are like dating. We figure out what we like (and what we don’t) by spending time and asking questions. Sure, there are some quirks and challenges, but for the most part if you’ve found your path (if not, read the next article first), you’re capable of loving your job. However, some days it can be challenging to remember the good aspects—and that’s when you need to rekindle that spark you once had. This article outlines the steps to do just that.
10. KNOW WHEN TO CUT AND RUN
And…sometimes it’s best to just move on. If you feel like you’ve done everything in your power to fall in love with your job and come up lacking, it may be time for the next opportunity. Career mobility can seem daunting, but by asking yourself important questions and getting to the bottom of what you feel, you’ll do yourself a favor in the long run.
