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Career success isn’t something you build overnight, it requires intentional and consistent actions.
Of course, there are the big things you can do, such as setting specific and achievable goals, finding a mentor, getting regular feedback and attending networking events. And you’ll find many such resources on how to do so on our site.
But that’s not what we’re addressing with this article. Sometimes, it’s not only the big things that matter but the small habits that are incorporated into daily routines that can give you that much-needed edge above the rest.
So, here are 5 daily habits that are small but helpful steps to achieve success in your career.
1. Manage your time effectively
Good time management is important in preventing burnout. Not only does it ensure you complete your tasks effectively and on time, but it also allows you time for your personal life and self-care. This can help you avoid unnecessary stress.
Start each day by reviewing and prioritising your most important work first. Avoid procrastination by breaking up your tasks into smaller, more achievable steps. Make use of tools like to-do lists, techniques like time-blocking, or apps like Google Calendar to manage your deadlines and tasks, while keeping you focused on what you need to do.
In the longer run, it is good to set clear goals, both long and short-term, to maintain direction in your career. Keeping up to date with relevant industry skills can also ensure you’re not left behind and can be considered for promotions, opportunities and career shifts.
2. Keep a growth mindset
Growth mindset is one of the key buzzwords in today’s market. Having a growth mindset means opening yourself to new ideas and opportunities to develop yourself personally and professionally. Set learning goals such as aiming to learn something new each month or quarter, and block time on your calendar for reading, short courses or webinars.
Other than staying updated with your skills and knowledge through courses and industry news, it helps to regularly and actively ask for feedback. Just remember to be open to both the positive and negative to improve yourself. You can also attend networking sessions to build your professional image.
When it comes to facing challenging situations or setbacks, it is easy to shy away, but don’t! Stepping outside your comfort zone will open up more growth opportunities. Use these more challenging times to improve your problem-solving skills, build resilience and refine your approach. After all, it’s the highly successful people who will view such challenges as opportunities to focus on solutions, instead of dwelling on problems.
3. Track your progress
This habit is very helpful to remind yourself of what you’ve accomplished, whether big or small. Having a record of completed projects, milestones and key contributions gives you grace to acknowledge small wins along the way and to stay motivated in your career path. Keeping track of your successes also helps you demonstrate your contributions and accomplishments during performance reviews, salary negotiations, pursuing promotions or job searches.
Begin your day or work week by setting yourself some goals. As you tick tasks off your to-do list, you will feel motivated and affirmed of your abilities, which then boosts your self-confidence to take on more challenging tasks and projects. It also serves to help you review your achievements every few months, with which you can update your resume, portfolio and LinkedIn profile, and improve your professional reputation.
4. Be adaptable and open to change
The world is ever-changing, and this was very evident during the pandemic when everyone had to adapt to a new way of work. Being resilient and adaptable in the face of rapid changes allows you to thrive better in the workplace. Those who can quickly adjust to new situations are more likely to stay employable for longer periods.
To better equip yourself to embrace change, be willing to shift gears when new opportunities or challenges arise, even if they seem uncomfortable initially. Embrace opportunities for new experiences and responsibilities by actively seeking out new projects and keeping your tech skills remain up to date.
Being adaptable also means learning from mistakes. Making mistakes is only natural but what gives you the edge over the rest is learning from them and bouncing back on your feet. Success is learning to embrace failure, learning from it and using it as an opportunity to grow and refine your approach.
5. Develop your Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence, or Emotional Quotient (EQ), is the ability to manage your emotions and understand those around you. This greatly impacts your relationships at work, allowing you to work well with others and communicate effectively when working in a team. This is a skill that is often caught, but it can also be taught with time and experience.
Having a high EQ is crucial to fostering collaboration and trust in the workplace, which is also often linked to being an effective leader. This is because you are probably better able to resolve conflicts constructively and with empathy and understanding. Regularly reflecting on your emotions and how they impact your interactions with others can build your self-awareness. You can also pay better attention to the feelings and perspectives of your colleagues by asking questions and practising active listening. If conflicts arise, focus on coming up with solutions that address the needs of the entire team.
There are also other steps to practise empathy. These include thanking colleagues and supervisors for their help, showing appreciation and cultivating meaningful relationships with colleagues, whether over lunch or teambuilding activities.
Purposefully implementing these habits into your day can help you stay on track to achieve your career goals more effectively. By including these habits one at a time into your work routine, they’ll soon become second nature to move that needle of success.
This ensures that you’re taking proactive steps to reach professional growth and eventual long-term success. Don’t worry or get discouraged if a habit slips. Instead, revisit your approach, make little adjustments and get back on track. Remember to celebrate small wins to motivate yourself and reinforce your behaviour.
What are you waiting for? Start building these habits today!
