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However you define success, there's a way for you to reach it!
By Patricia Magerkurth — Written on May 09, 2018
Smart women pursue career growth strategically. Life happens and work life can create challenges for women’s career growth. Because women are more likely than men to spend more time doing household chores and childcare, you may feel bogged down.
That’s why a strategy, defined as “a plan of action or policy designed to achieve a major or overall aim,” can help you focus.
When you think strategically without the emotions guiding your planning, you are able to be realistic and thoughtful.
Smart women manage these challenges for success by following these 6 strategies for success:
1. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Learn to separate small irritants from major issues or challenges. Don’t allow people to “push your buttons”. Emotional Intelligence is the capacity to manage your emotions and not allow them to overcome your reactions and interactions. Self-care means that we let go of fallout from meaningless interactions that cause us to doubt ourselves
2. Develop self-awareness.
Learn to look at yourself objectively. That means we have to become aware of our emotions, self-talk, and who we are from another ‘s perspective. Being self-aware allows you to think about the situation from a clear head. Understanding who you are in these situations provides an opportunity to practice building your Emotional Quotient (EQ). Successful leaders practice high EQ in their interactions. This doesn’t mean that you don’t have emotions. It means you recognize the emotions and then make a clear decision about how you want to respond for your best health.
3. Be aware of others' opinions.
Remember that the need for approval can derail your success. You need to be aware of other’s perceptions in order to hone your personal brand and sharpen your emotional quotient. Separate other’s opinions about you from their perception of you. It doesn’t matter if you think their perception of you is false, it is their perception.
4. Find tools and approaches that work for you.
Clean questions "What do I want?" "What do I know?" "What do I need to learn?' These questions offer you a chance to explore the situation from a clear perspective. Each challenge that you face will present opportunities for you to grow and find the right path to your success.
5. Keep focused.
Frustrations, difficult people, and disappointing setbacks can wreak havoc with our sense of self and confidence. Don’t allow others to pull you off your course. Once you have determined where you want to grow, stay focused on your plan. Like any good hike there are obstacles and barriers that may attempt to block your way, but when you stay focused with a clear mind and heart you can overcome them.
6. Stay flexible.
Others doubts and options are just that, their doubts and their opinions. Deborah Brown stated, “Not everyone will understand what you want to accomplish in your career. Maybe you want a new job but the people in your life tell you to forget about it and just be happy where you are. Or, you want a new career, but you are told it doesn't make sense or you won't make enough money.”
Some roadblocks may be insurmountable. That doesn’t mean that you give up your goals. You may need to adjust them and revise them as life happens.
Each time you meet a roadblock ask yourself the clean question: “How does this alter my original plan?” It may simply mean you are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Strategically determine what change you need to make to create the best opportunity for your dreams and aspirations.
Sometimes our dreams or goals change based on new information. New experiences, relationships, or life events may alter what we think and feel about our career growth. Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook stated in her book, Option B, after the death of her husband: “Option A is not available so let’s kick the heck out of Option B.” Option B is what you determine is best for you after Option A doesn’t work out.
Blaming others or frustrating doesn’t help you; it only hinders your clear thinking about next steps after something thwarts your well-planned progress. Keep yourself on the path by following the six strategies outline
Remember to relax, take a deep breath, and ask yourself those clean questions to determine what Option B means to you. You may just find out that Option B was the best path after all.
Pat Magerkurth is a life/business coach who studied women in the workplace. Her extensive experience business can help you determine your best strategy for career growth. Contact her at pat@inviaconsulting.com for a free consultation to determine if working together will help you move forward build a plan for your career growth.
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