The Investment of a Lifetime

Career management is a concept that makes lots of sense in today's world. The goals you establish will get you through the high and low points in your career, and position you to always be ready to make the right next step. This will help you accomplish your goals much quicker than "going with the flow".

Two things are important in managing your career effectively.

- A proactive approach. Take the initiative and map out your career destination so that you get to where you want to go quickly and easily. After all, you wouldn't go into a project without a project plan. Why go into your career without a career management plan?

- And discipline. Once you've charted your course, you have to follow your map. And it can be adjusted if necessary. But the whole career planning process and review can be done with an investment of just two days a year. (1 Day during X-Mas break, ¼ day April 1st, ½ day July 4th, ¼ day around Columbus Day)
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Decide and Commit

It starts with a decision! Decide to actively manage your career in a way that makes sense for you and your family. Remember, if you are not working YOUR plan, you are working everybody else's.

Commit the necessary time and energy required being a good career manager. (The two days, remember?) Assess where you are today, and where you want to be five to ten years down the road, and then to retirement. Take your time and dream! You are making your own destination, so be sure you're heading in the right direction.
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Personality Traits

Take a good hard look at your personal traits. Put these down on paper, and if you need help, interview your friends and family on what they think makes you tick. You want to leverage these traits as you consider your long-range career plans.

For example, if you are a great programmer, but lack people skills, management may not be a good choice for a career path. That is unless you commit to, and work on your people skills. Otherwise, a technical path might be more suitable. But unless you look at this, you would never know.
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Strengths and Weaknesses

Assess both your personal and professional strengths and weaknesses. Again, this gives you a window to view those things you can leverage, as well as other things you can improve upon. Be honest with yourself-we are all works in progress! And if you can't find any weaknesses, may I suggest you simply consult with your spouse, partner or friends in this area, they may be able to help.
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Skills

You've spent your entire professional life getting to where you are today. You've acquired training and have built an inventory of skills that, taken together, represent value to the marketplace. What new skills do you need in order to reach your identified destination? Put them on paper, prioritize them, and start working to get those skills.
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Time to Make a Change?

We live in a dynamic world. Follow the quarterly review schedule and look at your career objectives frequently, as well as the skills you need to achieve your career goals. Both can change! Also, analyze along the way whether or not your present employer can help you get there. If so, then stay right where you are and take advantage of every opportunity for career growth. If not, make an orderly and professional change when the time is appropriate.
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Find a Real Career Agent

You don't have to go it alone. In fact, it can be quite helpful to have a career coach at your side over the next decade or two. We're happy to help, even if it means telling you that you're better off staying where you are. If you're the Best of the Best in the e-doc industry and would like to confidentially explore how we can help you, contact us. To help you is what we're here for!
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