7 Tips for working constructively on your career

Building a career can bring you many benefits: you get to take on more interesting tasks, gain more autonomy and influence, and express more of yourself in your work. Of course, financial growth is also part of the deal. Despite these advantages, we are often reluctant to actively work on our careers. In this blog series, we share 7 tips to successfully accelerate both your career and personal development.

Here’s a preview: the key is to take control yourself. Everyone has an idea of what their dream job looks like—work you truly enjoy, are passionate about, and find meaningful and fulfilling. A role that offers sufficient challenges and growth opportunities. Add in great colleagues and a pleasant work environment where you contribute to a greater purpose, and the picture is complete.

A tough dilemma

Despite these advantages, we often adopt a wait-and-see approach because career development brings its own set of challenges: how do you balance it with your personal life? You want to maintain a social network, exercise, or pursue other leisure activities. Perhaps you also want to have time left for caregiving or volunteer work.You may be apprehensive about change or the necessary investment. Pursuing a (master’s) degree, attending conferences or other events to network and share expertise—all these take time, energy, and money.

Start today

It’s true that accelerating your career won’t happen overnight. But the good news is that you can start today. The steps in our blog series help you avoid pitfalls and overcome obstacles, significantly increasing the likelihood of achieving your dream job. You’ll gain insights into the mindset needed for this journey and the traits of CEOs, top executives, and other leaders—traits you can also develop.

Personal development

Personal development is central to every step. The risk of being too career-driven is that your career becomes an end in itself. You might fixate on a promotion and feel frustrated if a colleague gets it instead. Ambition and drive are important, but rather than solely aiming to climb the ladder, focus on finding joy in your work and making a meaningful contribution. That is the foundation for a sustainable future—for yourself, your organization, and society as a whole.

In the next part of this series, we’ll explore why uncovering your motivations is the most essential—and most challenging—step when working on your career.

Life Long Development

At TIAS, we strongly believe in Life Long Development: a continuous journey of learning and growth, both personally and professionally. We see personal and professional development as a golden combination. Growing as a leader is only possible when you truly get to know yourself. That’s why our programs focus on leadership development and transformation.

For every stage of your career

At TIAS, you’ll find a program tailored to your ambitions, learning goals, and career stage at every phase of your professional journey. Our programs help you bring out the best in yourself and create impact for your organization and society. Would you like to discuss how we can support you or your organization? Please contact one of our Program Advisers.