This week I’ve been working with some managers up in the Northeast. One of the questions I’ve prodded them with is:
What are you doing to develop this year?
For many of them, development means taking classes. For some, it’s working with a coach. Others do a lot of reading. Some however haven’t done anything. Their excuse? “I’m too busy.”
The choice to get better is a crucial one. Nobody goes out of his or her way to be worse at something. No one says they want to smoke MORE cigarettes or do LESS exercise for a New Year’s resolution. The question then for you is:
What’s Relevant to Your Development?
Are you taking time each week to do some professional growth? Are you looking for new skills to incorporate? Are you seeking advice from your manager on career growth? If you’re too busy, then what can you STOP doing to create time for development?
- Could you turn off reruns of Two and a Half Men and pick up a book instead?
- Can you forgo that night at the club to attend a networking meeting instead?
- Can you ratchet back on running your kids all over town to soccer, gymnastics, karate etc. and create some space for your OWN development?
Ultimately, we all have to take responsibility for our own career success. Nobody will put the time and effort into our success that we will.
This week take some time to look at what you do, what you want to do, and where you want to be. Make the choice to be intentional about your success. Ask yourself again:
What’s Relevant to My Development?
