Are you ready for opportunity when it comes your way?
If you want to achieve more than what you currently have, you need to be ready for the next level. This is true in all areas of our life, but especially in our careers, our life's work. But to be ready, to be truly ready, it takes more than passive development. We need to be actively involved in our growth.
How can you be actively involved in growth?
To be actively involved in your own development, you need to focus on developing the skills that you need to take yourself to the next level. Identify what skill you want to focus on, and then begin learning it. Reading books, taking online or in-person courses, attending seminars, and more. And the final aspect of your growth journey is sharing what you are doing, what you are learning, and where you envision that taking you.
Why share your development journey?
As you grow, you want to let the world know that you are becoming more than what you were before. To paraphrase a personal development legend, Jim Rohn. Sharing your growth journey is akin to knocking on doors, looking for the chance to showcase your new skills. Most doors will remain shut, people will scarcely pay attention to your journey, as they are so engrossed in their own struggles. But every once in a while, one of those unlikely doors will open.
"If you keep knocking, you'll find open doors." - Jim Rohn
When a door opens, and you have the chance to shine, you must be ready. That is why it is important to set yourself up now to have the best chance of capitalizing on that opportunity.
What does this look like in practice?
I have a work colleague who is currently taking accounting courses to expand her knowledge, pursuing her goals of becoming a designated accountant. She shares her journey, the courses she has taken, the courses she is taking, and where she thinks that will take her in her career. I have seen her journey, but can do little to aid her in any way right now. But, if someone were to ask me, a practicing CPA, if I know anyone who would be good for a junior accounting role, I know someone who is going, and growing in that direction.
By continuing to share her journey with other people, she is gently knocking on doors, looking for the next opportunity. And when that opportunity comes? She has spent many months developing skills that will help her take full advantage.
This happens more frequently than you know. It is estimated that between 70 and 85 percent of jobs are filled through networking. This comes about by sharing your skills, what you are looking for, and how you are growing your professional expertise.
As you look into the future of your life, your career, your goals, ask yourself; what skills you are going to need to take you to the next level? Who can you leverage to get you there? What doors of opportunity are you going to knock on?
And remember as Jim Rohn said, “If you keep knocking, you will find open doors.”