This week’s Step Up Tips was adapted from an excellent post by colleague Alana Muller, Founder of Coffee Lunch Coffee, author and fellow speaker.
In an earlier post this month we announced that, I and 17 other highly-sought career experts, are together revealing our best strategies and tactics for career success in a FREE Virtual Tele-Summit! The 2016 Catapult Your Career Success Summit offers career strategies and tactics for executives, managers and leaders who desire to make a bigger impact, accomplish more in less time and ultimately achieve greater success and recognition.
This complimentary event started on January 19th and runs through February 1st from the comfort of your own home (via phone or internet). My live talk took place on January 20. If you missed it-no worries! Replays of my talk and all the others are available in a variety of packages – including a free replay within 24 hours of each live session. Visit the registration site for more information and to sign up!
As a summary of the Tele-Summit events, below are 18 tips – one from each of these well-respected, knowledgeable career experts to assist you in moving your career forward:
- Foster “Interpersonal Wellness.” Leading people is not easy, that’s why Joyce Odidison, recommends regular wellness audits/assessments to improve and inspire individual and workplace wellness.
- Be a “Workplace Athlete.” According to Corey McCusker, there are seven key similarities of top performers to professional athletes including a high level of confidence, the ability to concentrate on process as well as the end result, resilience, mental attitude, a sense of challenge/competitiveness, peak condition non-thinking automatic response and the ability to relax.
- Spot Signs of “Burnout.” Cheryl Shurtliffe says burnout is most common amongst people who are phenomenal at their jobs. And while there are good levels of stress and bad levels of stress, it’s important to identify the early signs of burnout in yourself or in others around you.
- Begin Your “Destiny Discovery” Process. Most people are “chasing opportunities instead of creating on purpose.” According to Michelle Casto there are “6 stages in the destiny discovery process” to assist in moving energy from the head to the heart in order to create intuitive energy alignment.
- Release Unwanted Negative “Emotions.” Peggy Kelly-Davies states emotions are generated by your subconscious mind and are indicators and motivators to do something. Becoming emotional Intelligent therefore starts with self awareness of your own emotions and feelings.
- “Play a Bigger Game.” According to Patti Cotton many of us (especially women) play it small by holding back usually out of fear of rejection or fear of loss. And if you can relate, start by identifying where you are playing small and identify the little steps you can take. Incremental steps will “stretch your comfort zone.”
- “Prioritize Your Passions.” Signy Wilson says it’s important to “notice when we are over-functioning” and to “stop running on empty.” Because we simply can’t do it all, we should list our passions, cull the list, then prioritize the list and find a way to blend our passions with our daily actions as well as ensure structure for self care.
- “Cultivate Your Gravitas.” According to my talk, gravitas is critical to executive presence and can be cultivated. “Gravitas is a measure of confidence, decisiveness, a projection of your inner game or authenticity and the missing link to executive presence.” How you act (show up), how you speak (communication) and how you look (grooming and polish) matters.
- “Hone Your Skills.” Wendy Weiss says “cold-calling is a basic skill set” which can be learned. It takes 7-12 contacts to get prospects to respond. Most sales people give up long before that. Wendy emphasizes a good process and tracking will get you results.
- “Connect to the Wisdom of Your Heart.” According to Dr. Lise Janelle, “the quality of your life depends on the question you ask about your life.” 90-98% of what we do is conditioned response. Our actions/behaviors can be conditioned while our hearts hold the key to love, gratitude, wisdom and inspiration.
- “Consider the Financial Impacts.” According to Val Cattelan, strategic financial planning can equate to significant dollar amounts in the long run especially when you consider tax savings and portfolio returns. In addition to a career plan, you need a solid financial plan.
- “Make it Better.” According to James Graham people resist change because they view change the same way they view torture. Adapting your mindset to focus on “more or better” is an easier transition. James reminds us to “believe in the magically power of your mind.”
- “Enhance Your Brand.” According to Donna Serdula, your LinkedIn profile is your digital introduction, a summary of who you are as well as a projection of your future success. Your LinkedIn link will usually be the first thing that pops up when someone googles your name.
- “Develop Resiliency.” Catherine Meyer says there are 4 keys to developing resilience: optimism, stress management, flexibility and openness and the ability to see solutions within your control and influence.
- “Experience Facial Intelligence.” Michelle Butt uses the face as a guide to knowing how to interact with others based on their needs and communication preferences. According to Michelle, the face can be a tool to understanding people’s patterns and behavioral tendencies.
- “Develop Exceptional Teams.” Dianne Crampton says the leader’s focus should be on team development rather than team building. Team building can have a marginal effect and be demotivating while team improvement can have a lasting effect increasing collaboration and interdependence.
- “Boost Your Confidence.” Linda Cattelan says the shadow side of confidence can derail a career. It’s important not to believe the stories you make up. According to Linda, you need to focus on what you can control and influence by getting yourself ready. And there is no better time than the present to focus on yourself and your next career move.
And, from Alana Muller
- “Build Meaningful Authentic Relationships.” That’s the result of becoming a master networker. Remember, networking is not about money, landing a big sale, finding a job or collecting business cards. Networking is about connection, community and belonging.
These resources can help make your 2016 a breakthrough year. Here’s to your success and joy!