Five Things You Need to Know to Succeed in Your Career Work

| Career Advice

| Changing Careers

While there are many ways to define a successful career, the path to success is marked by similarities. Many people have gone where you want to go, and discovering the secrets to re-create such success is not as hard as it sounds. In fact, the hardest part often is knowing what you consider to be a success. Once you know where you are headed, you will discover the path to a successful career. And best of all, the progression will feel natural.

Know Yourself Happy workers are more successful in their careers because they love what they are doing, and others respond to their positive energy. Before you chase a career, know what you want and who you are, so that you will feel rewarded for your efforts. While it is tempting to dive straight into a career you find attractive, at first glance, you save more time in the long run if you explore your career choices before deciding. When you know what you want to do, you can be passionate and driven in your pursuit. This will help you map out a direct route to success.

Know the Training and Skills You Need People in successful careers have the training and skills needed for the job. This can include formal education, industry and work-related experience and soft skills such as networking and communication skills. You do not need to possess all the training and skills to get started in a successful career; instead, you can invest in your development as you go along. Do your research and map out what you will need to be successful in your career. Also, explore the backgrounds of others who are currently successful in the same career. Then begin working on this list. While it may be hard work, you can be successful!

Know What Your Boss Wants Rarely is success an individual endeavor. Instead, your success often depends on gaining buy-in from those around you. You need others to want you to be successful; otherwise it will be a fight and people will stand in your way. Know what your boss wants from you and know what your boss wants from his own career. When you know your boss well, you can show your boss that by investing in you and your success, he is also investing in himself and his own success.

Know Your Company's Values Organizations all have their own unique culture. To be successful, you need to know the culture in which you are trying to succeed. You need to fully understand the shared values and beliefs, even if you want change. Once you know the organizational culture, you will know if you can succeed and how to be successful. You will also know if you need to change or see areas that the organization may need to change -- and improve from.

Know How to Prove Yourself Success often breeds additional successes. While you might be the cream of the crop, you may not make it to the top if you are the only one who knows this. You need to be able to communicate effectively in order to broadcast your successes so that people will look to you for additional success. When people expect you to be successful, they will support you and feel a sense of fulfillment themselves when you succeed. Prove that you can be trusted to call the shots and you will find that others will gladly give you this burden.

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