Sometimes it can feel like things are moving so fast that you’re no longer making your choices on purpose. Instead of spending time on your priorities at work, you live in what I call the reactionary zone, just reacting to the problems that pop up day to day. You’re consumed with problems.
Although we all go through seasons like this where it takes everything we have to deal with the problems we are facing, we can’t create a successful career in this mode. There has to come a point where, no matter how busy you are, you choose to build your career instead of just survive it.
Building your career is about more than solving problems. It’s about choosing the direction you want to go. You see, a great career never happens by accident. It’s built by intentionally setting goals, making plans and diligently achieving them, day after day.
Actually, this is the most fun way to live anyhow. When you don’t have a goal that gets your heart pumping, life can get pretty discouraging. But when you’re working toward an exciting goal, the problems you face stop taking the centre stage. Instead, you’re energized to see your goals achieved.
I’m not saying that you need to set grandiose goals that make the whole world stand in awe. You don’t have to double your profits or triple production this year. The issue isn’t how large the goal is; it’s whether or not you are excited to get it done.
I’ve found that once you get into the habit of setting and achieving goals, it becomes addicting…in a good way. Start small and make it something you can achieve in a small amount of time. And when you achieve the goal, celebrate! Then set a new goal. Before long you’ll get in the habit of always having something to work on.
Maybe you’d love to get a promotion. That’s a great goal, but what’s your plan to achieve it? It doesn’t need to be elaborate—just keep it simple and achievable. You could commit 15 or 20 minutes a day to reading a book or listening to an audio series to gain some new skills. Whatever you decide to focus on first, write down your goal and set some time aside each day toward achieving it. Then stick with it until you’ve achieved it.
You have things that are important to you in life. Are you building toward them? Don’t spend your life focused on one problem after the other. Start intentionally building the career you want.
Leon Fontaine is internationally renowned for his ability to equip people with skills for life. He is the CEO of Miracle Channel and senior pastor of Springs, a contemporary church with six campuses across Western Canada. Visit www.leonfontaine.com for more great articles as well as weekly videos and podcasts. Email your comments to [email protected].
