Over the past couple of weeks, we have talked about the hidden strengths of both introverts and extroverts. Remember that each of these work and communication styles brings something extra to the table. Do not try to force yourself into one mold or another. In order to get the most out of your career, it is better to take the time to discover the environments that you thrive in.

So, how do you go about doing this?

Ask some tough questions

Take time to really consider these answers. What you might have been telling yourself – or others – for years, might not truly reflect how you truly feel today.

  • What type of environment do you work best in?
  • What do you most enjoy doing and excel at?
  • What outside interests can you incorporate into your work?

List out your top strengths

Now it is time to think about the things that are you best in – and then how you can better utilize these strengths within your current or future positions. Are you an excellent listener? Are you great at facilitating discussions? How are your negotiation or presentation skills?

Some of these strengths might be difficult to define, so it is worth taking the time to really explore the areas that you excel and take notes along the way.

Write a mission statement

This is something short and sweet that you can easily call to mind to help direct your professional decisions. Your mission statement should not just be an end-goal, like “make partner” or “retire at 50.” Instead, it should be something that encompasses your strengths and motivates you in your professional career, like “empower others” or “challenge ideas.”

It is also important to remember that your mission statement could very well change along the way – and that is okay. In fact, it is probably a good idea to continually revisit this statement every so often to make sure that you are still on course, and to ensure that it still embodies who you are and who you want to be.

In some cases, after coming up with a personal mission statement, you might realize that your current profession is not best serving you. If this is the case, you may want to consider other career opportunities that are more in line with your personal and professional goals. Luckily, there are many programs that allow you to take classes or become certified while you are still in your current job. It is always a good time to invest in yourself, and never too late to learn something new.

 

Photo by Austin Chan on Unsplash