My 2018 year has been an active hunt for productive things to accomplish. To elevate my own personal and professional reputation. I have accomplished these goals which have been grrat successes for me in 2018.
When it comes to how to push my own career forward, there are some pretty obvious must-do things that came to mind: I meet deadlines and produce high-quality work; I built a solid relationship with my partners; and, since I’m chasing a promotion or new opprtunity, I am being vocal about tossing my hat into the ring for consideration.
However, advancing my career doesn’t happen inside the four walls of my office. As a matter of fact, there are plenty of awesome things I have done to give my career a boost—things that have very little to do with my actual job.
So, after I have identified these productive things I have done or am doing to elevate my own professional reputation—that don’t involve extra hours in the office— I’ve put a plan together, pulled together the ideas and put them to action. meeting those goals attribute to successes in 2018. I have put them together for you right here.
1. I volunteer my time and skills
It’s not a surprise to me, but volunteering has been a great way to make new connections, pick up new skills, and help out in my community.
I have done manual labor with my parish community planting perennial flower bulds, spreading mulch, or cleaning gutters for the elderly (to mame a few) and offered my time and expertise helping out those in need assisting with opportunities where needed. It may advance my career and it sure won’t hurt it, but I feel good about myrself while doing it and making a new circle of friends along the way.
2. Reading and educating my self has been a great way for me to expand my horizons and learn new things. And—whether business related or not—making time to read, take an on-line course has provided me with much wisdom and knowledge, whether personal development, diy (do-it-yourself) project experiences, fictional or non-fictional reading has definitely beefied up my skill level and education.
Bookmarking thought-provoking articles I want to come back to. Or, compling an awesome read on entrepreneurship to inspire me. After all, there’s really nothing better than being able to unwind while also knowing I’ve doing myrself (and my career) a big favor.
3. I built a personal website
When I heard the words “personal website,” I thought it’s something only people in creative professions need to have. Right? Time to think again! I am glad I did it.
Check me out!
https://www.tonemansblog.com
In today’s digital age, a website or an online portfolio has been a key part of my personal and professional brand, especially in the sales and consultant industry I am in. But., regardless of what industry I am in. it’s been beneficial no matter what I am involved in.
In August 2018, I set aside some time and put my own website blog together. When currently in a busy time with consultancy work, traditional job career hunting, building a side hustle, or just wanting to position myself as a thought leader in my field, a website has worked wonders for my personal life, my running goals, and a great oulet for my high energy, journsling my experiences and creative ideas developjng strong social media skills and developing new relationships along the way.
4. I took up something new
Life gets busy—which means that, oftentimes, each day becomes rigid and structured to combat the chaos. I do not want to get stuck in a rut and lean on my daily routine to get me through.
However, putting myself out there and trying something new has been a great way to not only boost my personal life and my career, but also I discovered new interests. I make the time for running, a lot of running. As taking up endurance long- distance running, I have joined an elite running team, joined a national competitive track and field races, ran races every weekend from 5K’s to half-marathon training, speed work, tempo runs, achieving goals that have built confidence, pride, prrseverance, endurance, strength, as well as got me in the hest shape of my life. It has been addicting reaching my goals for 2018.
So, go ahead and pick up running and try your handest at endurance running, just like you’ve been meaning to do for years. Or, sign up for a 5K, 10K, or half-marathon that will teach you the basics of overcoming impossibility. Learning new skills is never a bad thing—and I ambablx now as I enter 2019, take them to a whole new level.
5. Seeking out a mentor and wise counsel has been a guiding light for me. No matter how busy my schedule, I make time for my relationships—it’s not often that I miss an opportunity to spend time helping out friends or finding time to put mysrlf out there and make new connections.
But, these are more productive relationships I can foster outside of the office: A relationship with a mentor and wise counsel. Seeking out an accomplished and successful person—he or she not even in the same field or position as me—that I have learned from, bounce ideas off of, just generally look up to, and are smarter than me.
Having this resource has been undeniably helpful as I continue to move through my life and career.
6. Striking up conversations with all walks of life has been tremendously rewarding and learning of how others live and share the challenges we all face. This has nurtured compassion, patience, and assistance to others and myself in need or who just need encouragement. I know, I admit I sometimes am likely anticipating seeing the age-old advice of “networking” on this list somewhere. And, I definitely won’t refute the importance of networking—it’s crucial. However, I’ve found that slapping such a formal title on an exchange can make it all feel forced, fake, and completely unnatural.
Instead, I encourage and enjoy the opportunity to strike up conversations wherever I go. Whether I want to chat with the person in the chair next to me at the fitness class, jogging trail or compliment the person ahead of me in line, I am not afraid to get the conversation rolling. I never know who I’ll meet!
7. Relaxing and recharging is very important not only for running recovery but for reflecting on goals accomplished and setting short-term or even new long-term goals.
I know, I find this time very productive and I know I can always use a little more reading or meditating time. I make time to rest, relax, and recharge. Downtime is crucial for my own mental health and productivity. After all, it’s tough to be impressive in the office, on the track in my next article, or in practice when I’m feeling completely burnt out.
So, as counterproductive as it might seem, I make time to just kick back and do nothing outside of working, running hours; I’ll be able to come into a new situation with a fresh outlook.
Advancing my personal life and career doesn’t happen at work. These things have nothing to do with my actual job, but has grown my professional reputation by leaps and bounds. Take a break from the office, give them a try, and see for yourself.
