After spending 30 years in some pretty key positions in corporate America’s Fortune 1000 companies, I have come to the conclusion that most of us have been mis-educated. Our training, formal and informal, has prepared us to function in a job. Sadly, few of us have been trained on how to have a truly successful career. You no doubt have talked to many educated and talented people who feel trapped in jobs they feel are not moving them forward. Yet daily people go to work and fight over the few ‘crumbs’ that someone else told us define success.

Whether it’s a bigger office, or a raise or more recognition, everyone seems to be wanting more but sadly getting less. The heart of this misleading education, is the ‘treadmill’ mantra we have been taught to internalize. “Work hard – become successful, work hard – become successful, work hard – become successful”. So millions are out there working hard and not seeing the results they believe they should receive for all of the sweat ‘equity’ they are putting into someone else’s company. Ready to get off the treadmill?

OK HERE GOES:

Working smart is planning your career strategy and then working your strategy.

1. Decide if you really want to move up in your organization. It will not be easy and they don’t give the big salaries to folks just because they’re smart or cute. You’ve got to bring some… to get some…
2. Get a mentor. Find someone in your industry that has already achieved what you want to accomplish. Their insight can help you avoid pitfalls that your competitors (that’s right competitors!) who don’t have a mentor will make.
3. Study your environment. Not the job assignment but the people in it. Who are the ‘powerbrokers’ in your organization? What are they like? What type of workplace behavior do they reward?
4. Build a plan where your excellence is noticed. Use your superior skills and abilities to help those around you. Be known for solving problems and fixing things. Under NO circumstance is bragging acceptable. Help everybody around you, eventually they will sing your praises!
5. Find a way to make some money outside of our day job. It will boost your self-confidence and make you not appear so desperate at work.
6. Find an anchor for your spirit. It’s rough out here and nobody avoids all of the emotional nicks and scrapes along the way to success. You’ll need lots of ‘faith band aids’ before the corner office is yours!

Eric Kelly is a professional executive career and lifestyle coach with over thirty years of experience in corporate America. He has established management development systems in the US, Europe, South America, Africa and the Middle East.