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Category: Career

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Changing The Way We View Success

Changing The Way We View Success

“Woman will lead the Thriving Revolution.” This was Arianna Huffington’s opening statement at a Melbourne Business Chicks event I recently attended. 

What an amazing, warm, genuine woman on a mission to lead the way to change how we live and, more specifically, how we view success.

Success is currently viewed through a masculine paradigm of POWER and MONEY, where working 24/7 is applauded and, in many fields, expected.  She challenged us as women to redefine what it means to be successful in today’s world.

She shared the story of finding herself collapsed on the floor in a puddle of blood, questioning her measurement for success.  How could this be success?  How could she consider herself to be successful when she was so burnt out?  Her online publishing business may have been reaching new heights, but at what cost?

Burnout is the disease of the modern civilisation. 

Women are paying a high price for “success”, with our sisters, mothers, girlfriends in stressful jobs having a 40% greater incidence of heart disease.  Some of this can be attributed to the fact we woman have more difficulty turning off the “Obnoxious Room Mate” in our heads.  Men seem to be able to shut out that inner voice while women let their inner critic wreak havoc.

So it is time let go of our addiction to our burnt out style of living and embrace a new way.  

We need to change the way we view success.  The time has come to re-examine our every day assumptions that we must work long hours to get ahead, that we need to be available and connected to our devices 24 hours a day and that accumulation of “stuff” is a hallmark of success.

Arianna called on women to lead the charge, take action and to be at the forefront of change. It is time to integrate The Third Metric – Wellbeing, Wisdom, Wonder and Giving – into the way we live and our view of success.  Yes, money and power remain but when we include The Third Metric it brings a whole new perspective and balance.

I just love the simplicity of the solution to such a large problem!

Here are 5 simple steps we can all start taking today to move towards a redefined and happier life.

1. Get more sleep.  Even 30 minutes more a night will make a difference.  When we are well rested we make better decisions, are more creative and make better use of our time.

2. Allocate time to disconnect.  Disconnecting from your devices will allow you to make better connection with yourself and those most important to you.  Create a mobile free zone one day a week and definitely banish your devices from the bedroom.

3. Have more wonder. Slow down and enjoy the little things in life; slow food, long lunches, and lazy Sunday afternoons.  Give up multitasking and be fully present to one task, one activity, one person.  Let go of the belief that there is never enough time and enjoy the moments you are in.

4. Be more giving.  Neuroscience shows that giving to others is the shortcut to happiness.  Our culture has been obsessed with “what can I get?” rather than “how can I give”.  Perhaps we need to be reminded that giving is an offering…. Not a trade!  So remember to smile at the barrister who is making your coffee and say hello to the dog walker your meet on your morning walk each day.

5. Have gratitude.  Gratitude changes everything.  I think the wonderful quote from Rumi sums it up best.  “Live life like everything is rigged in your favour.” We have somewhere around 30,000 days in our lifetime.  If we only value money and power we will never have enough… so celebrate and have gratitude for what you do.  Life will never be perfect so enjoy the journey as it is.

Now it is over to you.

These solutions are so simple, you may question whether it will work for you.  The only way to know for sure is to give it a go.  As Arianna said, don’t try to do it all.  Pick one or two, commit to it,  take action and keep at it.

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Join the newsletter list for weekly tips and strategies showing you how to ignite your career, lead your way and accelerate your success. 
Watch The Next Level Training to breakthrough to the next level of leadership, impact and recognition.  
Get my best tips on working smarter not harder 
Read my latest blog post.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact my team.

Similar Blog Posts

What the Queen taught me about…

As I sat on the couch this week watching the Queens funeral, I was transfixed by the pomp and ceremony of it all. There’s no doubt the Pom’s know how to create a sense of occasion.

Here we were, witnessing history.

Jane Benston

Businessman having stress in the office

Leading through and beyond burnout

Imagine this….

You’re sitting in the car park at work with a splitting headache and with that sinking feeling of here we go again. The 3 coffees you’ve downed already to give you a bit of an energetic lift haven’t helped; in fact, you feel more than a little shaky. Your phone has lit up like a Christmas tree with fires you’re expected to put out, yet all you want to do is book a room at the nearest hotel, close the blinds and sleep for days.

Jane Benston

Time’s Change But Not Fast Enough

Yesterday we farewelled my partner’s Mum… at the ripe old age of 101!

Sadly, I never got to know her before dementia stole her memory and much of her spark, but Betty clearly was a special woman. As I sat in the chapel listening to her life story, I reflected on how different her life would have been if she had lived in a different era.

Jane Benston

Posted on

Why Aren’t You Being Promoted?

Why Aren’t You Being Promoted?

You’re a smart, intelligent woman. You are extremely loyal and reliable and you are good at your job.  You work hard and you have all the qualifications and experience needed to get promoted, so why is it that you keep getting passed over?

It used to be the guys with all the charisma and charm who play golf with the boss that would beat you to plumb jobs.  Now… you are loosing out to the bright young Gen Y’s who are full of energy and bravado.  At times it just doesn’t seem fair.

You have more than once asked yourself… what do I have to do to get promoted?

You may think that if you work harder, longer hours and say “yes” to everything that the boss asks for, you will finally get the notice and recognition you are longing for.  Surely you are next in line and deserve to be rewarded for your commitment and dedication. 

I am here to tell you … it just doesn’t work that way. 

The reasons why women continue to struggle to break into the senior leadership ranks of corporate Australia are many, varied and complex.  Just a few include the unconscious bias, blatant giving jobs to the boys, the challenges of juggling raising a family and managing a demanding career and the corporate systems and structures standing in the way of flexible family friendly working arrangements.     

And then there is you.  Yes, I know.  Sometimes this is a difficult one to swallow.

Research has shown some habits and behaviours, more commonly displayed by woman, negatively impact our likelihood of being the obvious choice or even considered for promotion. 

And the good news is… major change is not required.  

Through working with hundreds of women over the past 5 years I’ve seen that usually all that’s required are tiny tweaks to where we focus our time, energy and resources.

Lets make sure you are not getting in your own way by engaging in these career sabotaging workplace behaviours that will slow your career progression to a crawl or even have you become stuck, set in stone, at your current level.  I know that your career success and your need to be growing, contributing and making more of a difference means too much to you to allow that to happen. 

 

Here are 3 habits that may be getting in your way of promotion?

1.  You are not confidently displaying your skills, opinions and worth. Kitty Kay and Clare Shipman, co-authors of The Confidence Gap, show that women are less self-assured than men—and that to succeed, confidence matters as much as competence. 

Confidence talks.  If you are not confident in your own ability to deliver at the next level it will not matter how competent you are at your job, you will not get noticed or promoted. 

The good news is that with work, confidence can be acquired.  The first step is to start noticing the evidence that demonstrates that you are worthy of a more senior position (eg: the results you have achieved, your ability to manage your team to work cohesively together, you ability to solve the important business problems.)  Until YOU believe you are worthy, others will not. 

2.  You are not thinking strategically.  Let’s acknowledge that the many workplaces operate under a masculine paradigm and that the measures of success, generally speaking, are achievement of results, hitting financial targets and developing and delivering strategies for growth. 

If you want to be noticed and promoted you must be delivering on these success measures.  Many women (but of course not all) can become overly concerned with their own work and projects and fail to tap into, understand or contribute to the company vision, mission and strategy. 

A leadership study recently published in the Harvard Business Review scored women more highly than men on 16 key measures but there was one key measure that men scored more highly that stood out.  It was their ability to develop strategies and communicate them to people that mattered.

You must become a strategic thinker.  Your career will grow and expand once you flex your strategic muscle, think bigger and contribute more to the big picture of the business. 

3.  You think you need to do it alone.  Women are great connectors, communicators and collaborators … so why is it that so many women think that they need to prove that they can achieve career success alone? 

Prioritise time in your busy schedule to build strong, genuine relationships both within your organisation and externally.  Yes I hear you… you are too busy to spend time having coffee.  Trust me, it will be time well spent. 

Surround yourself with people who will support and help your growth, clear the pathway for opportunities to emerge and who will challenge you to strive for even more than you think is possible.

I heard recently that geese flying together in formation fly further and 75% faster  than geese flying alone.  Don’t be a lone goose… find some friends, trusted colleagues and partners to collaborate with and see what together you can achieve.

And remember it is not only who you know that is important… what is even more important is who knows what you know and what you want to achieve.  Your work will not speak for itself.  You must let people know what you are working on and the impact you are having.  Yes that’s right .. I am suggesting that you toot your own horn… in the nicest possible way. 

Now it is over to you.

Getting promoted can never be guaranteed but lets boost the odds by ensuring you are not sabotaging you efforts without even realising it. 

LET'S CONNECT

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Join “Leading Ladies” – a private FREE Facebook group of over 1600 other mid-career professional women to inspire and support
Join the newsletter list for weekly tips and strategies showing you how to ignite your career, lead your way and accelerate your success. 
Watch The Next Level Training to breakthrough to the next level of leadership, impact and recognition.  
Get my best tips on working smarter not harder 
Read my latest blog post.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact my team.

Similar Blog Posts

What the Queen taught me about…

As I sat on the couch this week watching the Queens funeral, I was transfixed by the pomp and ceremony of it all. There’s no doubt the Pom’s know how to create a sense of occasion.

Here we were, witnessing history.

Jane Benston

Businessman having stress in the office

Leading through and beyond burnout

Imagine this….

You’re sitting in the car park at work with a splitting headache and with that sinking feeling of here we go again. The 3 coffees you’ve downed already to give you a bit of an energetic lift haven’t helped; in fact, you feel more than a little shaky. Your phone has lit up like a Christmas tree with fires you’re expected to put out, yet all you want to do is book a room at the nearest hotel, close the blinds and sleep for days.

Jane Benston

Time’s Change But Not Fast Enough

Yesterday we farewelled my partner’s Mum… at the ripe old age of 101!

Sadly, I never got to know her before dementia stole her memory and much of her spark, but Betty clearly was a special woman. As I sat in the chapel listening to her life story, I reflected on how different her life would have been if she had lived in a different era.

Jane Benston

Posted on

The Risks Of Ignoring Your Network

The Risks Of Ignoring Your Network

Most of us recognise that having a strong professional network is an important element of achieving our career goals and aspirations. 

But how many of us actually make time to develop, nurture and grow our connections.  It is all too easy to get busy being busy in a rush to get everything on the “to do” list done, while neglecting the benefits that come from truly connecting and sharing with other professionals. 

Research by the McKinsey Leadership Project has found that “People with strong networks and good mentors enjoy more promotions, higher pay, and greater career satisfaction.  They feel a sense of belonging, which makes their lives meaningful.” 

So clearly this is important. 

How strong is your professional network? 

  • Who is in your network?
  • How connected to them are you?  Could you seek out their professional advice or support?
  • Is your network made up of people both within your organization and externally? 
  • Do you have a network of others within your profession to draw on to solve problems?
  • Do you have a mentor or a circle of trusted advisors?  Do you keep in touch?
  • How do you support those within your network?

Building your network is something that you need to work at and prioritise.  Imagine the benefits that would come from putting aside time every month to stay in touch and be available to help others.  You will be rewarded with stronger relationships, solutions to problems, keeping abreast of important information and the joy that comes from being of value to those in your network. 

Then there is the hidden job market that is suddenly available to you through those who know what you are good at and what you want from your career. 

My own networks were an invaluable source of advice, support and connections when I started out in business.  Friends, family and professional colleagues generously helped me to find resources, provided introductions to potential clients and were there for me to celebrate the wins and pick up the pieces when the going got tough.  

The idea of networking fills many with fear and trepidation. The good news is that the strength of your network has less to do with networking and much more about developing relationships.

By focusing on two-way, genuine and mutually beneficial relationships, the idea of building your network will go from being a daunting task to be avoided like the plague, to being a fulfilling, fun diversion from the day to day grind. 

A diverse network of friends, colleagues and associates is key to supporting your professional development and growth and to impact your sense of personal fulfilment.  By ignoring this critical element of your career growth, you will miss out on the potential benefits: inspiration, information, contacts, informal mentors, support, encouragement and potential job opportunities. 

Alone we can be strong… but together we can be stronger.  Surround yourself we people to support and help your growth, clear the pathway for opportunities to emerge and challenge you to strive for even more than you think is possible.

Who are you going to connect with over the next week, remembering that this is as much about what value you can add to them as it is about how they can add value to you?

LET'S CONNECT

Facebook Linkedin
Focus On Leadership

Click below to…

Join “Leading Ladies” – a private FREE Facebook group of over 1600 other mid-career professional women to inspire and support
Join the newsletter list for weekly tips and strategies showing you how to ignite your career, lead your way and accelerate your success. 
Watch The Next Level Training to breakthrough to the next level of leadership, impact and recognition.  
Get my best tips on working smarter not harder 
Read my latest blog post.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact my team.

Similar Blog Posts

What the Queen taught me about…

As I sat on the couch this week watching the Queens funeral, I was transfixed by the pomp and ceremony of it all. There’s no doubt the Pom’s know how to create a sense of occasion.

Here we were, witnessing history.

Jane Benston

Businessman having stress in the office

Leading through and beyond burnout

Imagine this….

You’re sitting in the car park at work with a splitting headache and with that sinking feeling of here we go again. The 3 coffees you’ve downed already to give you a bit of an energetic lift haven’t helped; in fact, you feel more than a little shaky. Your phone has lit up like a Christmas tree with fires you’re expected to put out, yet all you want to do is book a room at the nearest hotel, close the blinds and sleep for days.

Jane Benston

Time’s Change But Not Fast Enough

Yesterday we farewelled my partner’s Mum… at the ripe old age of 101!

Sadly, I never got to know her before dementia stole her memory and much of her spark, but Betty clearly was a special woman. As I sat in the chapel listening to her life story, I reflected on how different her life would have been if she had lived in a different era.

Jane Benston

Posted on

Are You Waiting For Career Success?

Are You Waiting For Career Success?

Have you ever found yourself waiting for career success? 

Waiting to feel smart enough, good enough, old enough or for someone to notice how great you are at your job?  Every day I speak to women who are waiting.

It shouldn’t surprise me… because I remember a time when I was waiting to feel ready for the next step in my career.  I had no idea why I was waiting or what being ready would look like or feel like… but I was waiting.

One women I worked with was waiting to “feel” like a leader before speaking up in a leadership team meeting.  Another told me she was waiting to lose weight and buy a new corporate wardrobe before she started looking for a new job.

Then there is the woman in a professional services firm who admitted to me that she had been waiting for years to be tapped on the shoulder and be offered a promotion… which never came. Not because she was not good enough but because she had never expressed her interest in a more senior role.

Career success is only achieved when we stop waiting and become proactive in our development and seize every opportunity that comes our way.

If you are waiting to take the next step in your career… is it time to stop waiting?

Are you really waiting because of a legitimate reason or is your waiting just an elegant excuse, holding you back from career progression?

Here are the 7 top reasons I hear from women about why they are waiting.

They are:

1.  Waiting to feel worthy or good enough.  This one is more common than you may think, so if this is why you are waiting… you are in good company.  Many women wait to take the next step because they don’t feel worthy or good enough.  They see themselves with less potential or skill than others do.  They allow their inner critic to influence their confidence and self-belief. They fail to go after what they want in their career and what they are truly capable of.

2.  Waiting to be old enough.  Do you have a belief that you need to be of a certain age to be considered for a particular level of leadership or to be taken seriously? I have worked with a couple of high achieving young women who have rocketed into positions of influence at a young age but then feel they have to wait for their age to catch up, to take the next step.  Just because you are younger then most of the team reporting to you, doesn’t mean you do not have the skills and capabilities to lead them effectively.

3.  Waiting to be ready.  Ready for what?  Who knows?  But still we wait! Perhaps this is linked to feeling good enough or worthy enough.  It is certainly linked to the fear of failure and the need to protect yourself from risk.  Leadership takes courage and very often means stepping outside your comfort zone to find out what you are truly capable of.

4.  Waiting to be knowledgeable enough.  Do you think you need more knowledge, skill or training to be able to take the next step?  Perhaps you do … or maybe you will get everything you need from on the job challenges that come with taking the next step in your career.   Rather than rely on your own judgment on this, seek advice from someone who knows you well and understands the requirements of the type of role you are looking to step into.

5.  Waiting until it is your turn.  Getting promoted because you have done your time went out of vogue years ago!  Career progression is now all about taking opportunities and going after what you want.  You will be given opportunities based on your skill level and being the best fit for the role not because of your years of tenure within the organisation.

6.  Waiting until you are tapped on the shoulder.  So you think if you do good work that it will be noticed and you will be handed that next promotion or amazing opportunity.  Sorry to burst your bubble on this one… but no.  Being good at your job is just the beginning.  To get what you really want from your career, you have to raise your hand and let it be known that you are interested in promotion.  It is about creating opportunities and taking steps to make it clear that you are the obvious choice for promotion or consideration for inclusion on an exciting project.

7.  Waiting until your circumstances change.  Most of us have a lot going on outside of work which at times can impact what we are capable of or prepared to take on at work. Kids, holidays, moving home, weddings, illness… these are all good reasons to take a step back but are you using your circumstances as an elegant excuse?

If you recognise yourself in any of these, perhaps it is time to take your foot off the break, lift your finger off the pause button and get into action, creating your next step in your career.  If you have put yourself in a holding pattern… waiting for your career success, make sure you have made a conscious decision for a legitimate reason.   

If not… here’s my advice……

Stop waiting for career success and take action!

You are already good enough and old enough and you already know enough. If you are waiting for someone to notice your brilliance and hand you your perfect job, you could be waiting a very long time!

Your career success is up to you.  Go out and grab it with both hands… NOW!

LET'S CONNECT

Facebook Linkedin
Focus On Leadership

Click below to…

Join “Leading Ladies” – a private FREE Facebook group of over 1600 other mid-career professional women to inspire and support
Join the newsletter list for weekly tips and strategies showing you how to ignite your career, lead your way and accelerate your success. 
Watch The Next Level Training to breakthrough to the next level of leadership, impact and recognition.  
Get my best tips on working smarter not harder 
Read my latest blog post.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact my team.

Similar Blog Posts

What the Queen taught me about…

As I sat on the couch this week watching the Queens funeral, I was transfixed by the pomp and ceremony of it all. There’s no doubt the Pom’s know how to create a sense of occasion.

Here we were, witnessing history.

Jane Benston

Businessman having stress in the office

Leading through and beyond burnout

Imagine this….

You’re sitting in the car park at work with a splitting headache and with that sinking feeling of here we go again. The 3 coffees you’ve downed already to give you a bit of an energetic lift haven’t helped; in fact, you feel more than a little shaky. Your phone has lit up like a Christmas tree with fires you’re expected to put out, yet all you want to do is book a room at the nearest hotel, close the blinds and sleep for days.

Jane Benston

Time’s Change But Not Fast Enough

Yesterday we farewelled my partner’s Mum… at the ripe old age of 101!

Sadly, I never got to know her before dementia stole her memory and much of her spark, but Betty clearly was a special woman. As I sat in the chapel listening to her life story, I reflected on how different her life would have been if she had lived in a different era.

Jane Benston

Posted on

5 Signs That Your Career Has Stalled

5 Signs That Your Career Has Stalled

Have you been wondering whether your career has stalled?  Our career, like our lives, go through natural cycles and stages.  At times we fly along with free flowing momentum where results, recognition and promotions come easily.  Then there are times when our career seems to hit a plateau and we find ourselves stuck with our career going nowhere fast and boredom sets in.

If your career has been stuck in a holding pattern for a while then it might be time to re-assess your situation and get things on the move again. 

Sometimes we are quite happy to put our career progression on hold for personal reasons.  Many women choose to mark time for a few years and focus more on the needs of their children.  They design their career choices around being available to the needs of their family rather than accepting roles requiring long hours, extensive travel and high degrees of professional development. 

But most often it creeps up on us.  Many professionals at first deny that their career has stalled, only recognising the tell tale signs of an ailing career when it is well and truly terminally ill. 

So what are the key signs that your career has stalled?

1.  You are experiencing ground hog day.   The first clue is that your role and responsibilities have not changed in a few years or more.  Each day is pretty much the same as the last. It is almost as if you are a permanent fixture who everyone relies on to get the job done but no one really notices the good work you do.

2.  You have stopped learning and growing.  If you cant remember the last time you learnt something new at work; a new task or process, a new technical skill, extended your leadership capabilities or did something for the first time, then your career has stalled.  I love the idea that we are either green and growing or ripe and rotting. Which one are you?

3.  You are not being promoted. If you have experienced the frustration, disappointment or even humiliation of seeing others promoted ahead of you … then this is a definite sign that your career has stalled!  Let’s be brutally honest here, perhaps it is time to stop blaming bad luck, an unfair system or jobs for the boys… and let’s start looking at what you can do differently to be noticed, taken seriously and get that promotion you have been working so hard for. 

4.  You are bored and dread going to work.  This should be a pretty big clue that some things need to change.  We spend much of our lives at work so the least we can do is to find something that we love to do. 

But it is a bigger problem then just being bored.  Unfortunately our effectiveness and our general attitude are negatively impacted when we don’t love what we do.  And a poor attitude and poor performance are the two biggest killers of career progression!

5.  You are too comfortable. Some people do their best work when they are comfortable and in a routine but most of us start to loose motivation when we operate purely from within our comfort zone for too long.  Innovation, inspiration and growth happens when we step outside our comfort zone and stretch ourselves to be more and achieve more.  Are you settling for less? 

If you are fearing taking on new challenges, then it is highly possible that you have settling a little too much into your comfort zone (a little like settling into a comfy armchair beside an open fire on a cold day) and what you need more than anything is to take on some new challenges. 

If you recognise any of these warning signs than now is the time to take action.  Shake things up a little, get some support, learn something new, take a new challenge, create a plan and get into action.

If your career has stalled there is a fair chance you have been operating on auto pilot.  Now is the time to take back control, create a vision for your career and consciously generate momentum towards more impact, better result and more fulfilment.

LET'S CONNECT

Facebook Linkedin
Focus On Leadership

Click below to…

Join “Leading Ladies” – a private FREE Facebook group of over 1600 other mid-career professional women to inspire and support
Join the newsletter list for weekly tips and strategies showing you how to ignite your career, lead your way and accelerate your success. 
Watch The Next Level Training to breakthrough to the next level of leadership, impact and recognition.  
Get my best tips on working smarter not harder 
Read my latest blog post.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact my team.

Similar Blog Posts

What the Queen taught me about…

As I sat on the couch this week watching the Queens funeral, I was transfixed by the pomp and ceremony of it all. There’s no doubt the Pom’s know how to create a sense of occasion.

Here we were, witnessing history.

Jane Benston

Businessman having stress in the office

Leading through and beyond burnout

Imagine this….

You’re sitting in the car park at work with a splitting headache and with that sinking feeling of here we go again. The 3 coffees you’ve downed already to give you a bit of an energetic lift haven’t helped; in fact, you feel more than a little shaky. Your phone has lit up like a Christmas tree with fires you’re expected to put out, yet all you want to do is book a room at the nearest hotel, close the blinds and sleep for days.

Jane Benston

Time’s Change But Not Fast Enough

Yesterday we farewelled my partner’s Mum… at the ripe old age of 101!

Sadly, I never got to know her before dementia stole her memory and much of her spark, but Betty clearly was a special woman. As I sat in the chapel listening to her life story, I reflected on how different her life would have been if she had lived in a different era.

Jane Benston

Posted on

Working hard isn’t the answer but this is.

Working hard isn’t the answer but this is.

Have you ever thought … if I work hard, I will get noticed and soon I will be promoted and get the pay rise I deserve?

Unfortunately career and leadership success and getting the recognition you deserve doesn’t only come through hard work. Yes it is part of the equation but there is more to it than that.

Sometimes it seems a mystery and definitely a source of frustration and resentment when others are promoted ahead of you.

Securing the position you want and getting paid what you are worth, is a worthy goal common to most. It is healthy to want to expand, develop, and advance both personally and professionally but what is the secrete formula for getting ahead?

There sometimes appears to be an unspoken set of rules that only a privileged few in the game are privy to. When you don’t know the secrete formula, you may even be sabotaging your career advancement without even realising it!

So you are smart and ambitious and you’re ready for the next challenge.

Here are some simple strategies to follow to get your career on the move.

1. Create a plan. Finding your way to the top starts with creating a successful plan. Start with the end in mind. Where do you want to be 3 – 5 years from now? It is only once you are clear on this that you can start mapping out the steps to get there. And without it … you will end up meandering along, allowing others to drive your next move. Now is the time to plant yourself firmly in the drivers seat.

Ensure your plan includes ongoing learning. Leaders who have fast tracked their career progression, take responsibility for their development of technical skills, leadership capabilities and personal growth.

2. Get to know your company and your boss. Understand your company’s vision, values and your boss’s priorities and focus your efforts with their goals and objectives. Focus on helping your team and your boss to achieve the business targets and in doing so you will demonstrate your value.

Align yourself with the people and projects receiving the highest levels of attention. This gives you visibility and the chance to shine more quickly.

3. Networking is Key.Build your network both within your organisation and externally. The more people who know you, like you and understand the value you bring, the better.

4. Focus on impact not just output. Be strategic about the projects you say “yes” to. Focus on delivering quality work that makes an impact on the business bottom line, customer service, efficiency, delivery standards etc.

Acknowledge that you will do you best work when you are working on projects that allow you to utilize your natural talents. Focusing your energy on activities that are a great fit for you will lead to greater happiness and productivity and producing your best work.

Become known for your innovation not just your ability to get a job done. It has been said that 90% of employees are executors, but it is the other 10% who initiate and do things that they are not asked to do, who move up the ladder the quickest.

5. Have the right conversations. Ask your boss and key people within your organisation “What does success in this role look like?” “ What can I be doing to operate at the next level? Be clear with them about your career aspirations and be open to advice on areas of personal and professional development.

6. Stand out! There is no place for being beige or blending into the background if you want to be taken seriously as someone who is ready for greater responsibility. Recognise that you may have been conditioned throughout your life to fly under the radar and take the safest path. It may have worked for you up until now but it is not going to be a winning strategy as your climb the corporate ladder.

Now is the time to stand out. Find your voice, speak up and have an opinion. Be brave and have courage to step up to take on projects and responsibilities that may be slightly outside your comfort zone.

7. Attitude.  Your attitude can make or break your advancement and the opportunities that come your way! It is the single most important element to a sustainable successful career.  It is more than just being positive. It is having an attitude that is respectful and inclusive of others. It is believing that everyone can add value if given direction, encouragement and trust. It is creating an environment were excellence is expected and the team thrive in working together to achieve extraordinary results.

Your engaging attitude will be the thing that stands you apart from the pack. It will have you noticed by senior leaders and your team wanting to follow you wherever you go!

Now is the time to get your career and your leadership development off autopilot.  Create a plan, take action and you might be surprised at how quickly you climb the career ladder!

LET'S CONNECT

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Join “Leading Ladies” – a private FREE Facebook group of over 1600 other mid-career professional women to inspire and support
Join the newsletter list for weekly tips and strategies showing you how to ignite your career, lead your way and accelerate your success. 
Watch The Next Level Training to breakthrough to the next level of leadership, impact and recognition.  
Get my best tips on working smarter not harder 
Read my latest blog post.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact my team.

Similar Blog Posts

What the Queen taught me about…

As I sat on the couch this week watching the Queens funeral, I was transfixed by the pomp and ceremony of it all. There’s no doubt the Pom’s know how to create a sense of occasion.

Here we were, witnessing history.

Jane Benston

Businessman having stress in the office

Leading through and beyond burnout

Imagine this….

You’re sitting in the car park at work with a splitting headache and with that sinking feeling of here we go again. The 3 coffees you’ve downed already to give you a bit of an energetic lift haven’t helped; in fact, you feel more than a little shaky. Your phone has lit up like a Christmas tree with fires you’re expected to put out, yet all you want to do is book a room at the nearest hotel, close the blinds and sleep for days.

Jane Benston

Time’s Change But Not Fast Enough

Yesterday we farewelled my partner’s Mum… at the ripe old age of 101!

Sadly, I never got to know her before dementia stole her memory and much of her spark, but Betty clearly was a special woman. As I sat in the chapel listening to her life story, I reflected on how different her life would have been if she had lived in a different era.

Jane Benston

Posted on

What To Do When You Feel Bored, Stuck And Unfulfilled By Your Work

What To Do When You Feel Bored, Stuck And Unfulfilled By Your Work

Is it possible that there is an epidemic out there in workplaces around the country, of people feeling bored, stuck and unfulfilled by the work they do? 

A lack of meaning seems to be causing increasing numbers of people to be disengaged and unproductive… not just for a couple of days or weeks but for huge chunks of time.

Never-ending to do lists, pointless meetings, floods of emails, unreasonable bosses, poor relationships with co-workers, lack of recognition and the overwhelming workload…. all lead to fatigue, boredom, lack of meaning and ultimately burn out.  

But why is it that so many stay stuck in this situation way beyond the use by date?

There are a myriad of reasons…  some are absolutely valid and some… an elegant justification for lack of action and personal responsibility.

The latest Gallop Poll reported that a dismal 18% of Australians say they love their work and almost two thirds of Australian employees consider themselves to be emotionally detached from their employer, and so they just do the bare minimum.  

If you are feeling bored in your job, you are clearly not alone.

If you are waiting and hoping that things will change for the better, you could be waiting for a long time.  

If you want to be more engaged and to enjoy you job more … it really is up to you to find some answers. 

Here are some ideas to get  you unstuck and into more fulfilling work. 

1. Do something new

Much of the boredom, misery, disengagement and apathy that we experience can be remedied by the simple step of doing something new.

We are hardwired to seek out the novel and challenging and without it we end up with a life that is somewhat bland, beige and, at times, unfulfilling.  Recent advancements in neuroscience have found that the brain becomes activated when we are engaged in something that causes us to stretch and grow.

Novel things make your mind jump to attention with the release of dopamine.  It snaps into “let’s figure this out mode” and is what motivates us to learn. When the novel is also challenging, our brain will stay engaged even longer.  And an engaged brain is a happy brain!

So the answer may be to ask for new responsibilities or to take on projects and tasks that push you outside your comfort zone. 

Challenge is the key to staying engaged.

Look for growth opportunities, even when you’re busy. By learning new skills, you are making yourself more valuable in your current role and improving your opportunities for future career growth and success.

2. Capitalising on your unique skills and talents

Your boredom may be a sign that you are not leveraging your unique skills and talents. Are you a square peg in a round hole? 

I know I am at my best when I have a degree of autonomy, working with people and engaged in helping them to grow. So really, it was no surprise that when I was given a role some years ago that focused on developing details around policy, procedure and audit requirements, I very quickly lost interest in the job and was watching the clock, willing the time to pass.

So what kind of work makes you feel “in the zone”, where time passes with ease and you leave knowing you are contributing the best of you to your work?  We all have unique talents and activities that engage and excite us more then others.  What are yours?

Explore ways you can align the work you do, with what you are truly gifted at, what you are passionate about and what brings you real meaning. 

You may be able to find more of these types of tasks in the role you are currently in. If not, you may need to consider moving on. 

3. Focus outside of you

The key to a meaningful life – at work and elsewhere – often lies in turning our focus from ourselves, to how we can help others.  As a leader, this means creating opportunities for your team, helping them to make a little bit of progress towards their own growth and development every day.

Who can you offer assistance, mentoring or guidance to, keeping in mind that this is one of the most powerful forms of motivation to keep boredom at bay and to live a meaningful life?

4. Take Responsibility

You may not like to hear this but, at the end of the day, if you are bored at work it is up to you to do something about it.  If you keep doing the same things you really can’t expect a different result!  Now is the time to take action and do some things differently.

You have more power and control over your situation than you may think. 

Remember you are in the drivers seat.  No one but you is responsible for your happiness, engagement and fulfilment, both at work and in your personal life.

LET'S CONNECT

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Focus On Leadership

Click below to…

Join “Leading Ladies” – a private FREE Facebook group of over 1600 other mid-career professional women to inspire and support
Join the newsletter list for weekly tips and strategies showing you how to ignite your career, lead your way and accelerate your success. 
Watch The Next Level Training to breakthrough to the next level of leadership, impact and recognition.  
Get my best tips on working smarter not harder 
Read my latest blog post.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact my team.

Similar Blog Posts

What the Queen taught me about…

As I sat on the couch this week watching the Queens funeral, I was transfixed by the pomp and ceremony of it all. There’s no doubt the Pom’s know how to create a sense of occasion.

Here we were, witnessing history.

Jane Benston

Businessman having stress in the office

Leading through and beyond burnout

Imagine this….

You’re sitting in the car park at work with a splitting headache and with that sinking feeling of here we go again. The 3 coffees you’ve downed already to give you a bit of an energetic lift haven’t helped; in fact, you feel more than a little shaky. Your phone has lit up like a Christmas tree with fires you’re expected to put out, yet all you want to do is book a room at the nearest hotel, close the blinds and sleep for days.

Jane Benston

Time’s Change But Not Fast Enough

Yesterday we farewelled my partner’s Mum… at the ripe old age of 101!

Sadly, I never got to know her before dementia stole her memory and much of her spark, but Betty clearly was a special woman. As I sat in the chapel listening to her life story, I reflected on how different her life would have been if she had lived in a different era.

Jane Benston

Posted on

5 Career Critical Questions

5 Career Critical Questions

We ask ourselves dozens of questions each day: what will I have for lunch, have I got time for exercise, what will I wear to the meeting?  These questions are all important.  They shape who we are and influence the type of life we lead day by day. 

But we often don’t pause to think about the big questions; the real questions that allow us to create a life that if we were to look back on, 10 years from now, would fill us with a sense of pride and fulfillment.

We get busy and consumed by the day to day.  We get caught up in raising a family, meeting deadlines, racing from one commitment to the next without critically assessing whether this is what we really want.

Here are 5 career critical questions I ask my clients to help them to examine their career.  Take a few moments now to ask these questions of yourself.  (Warning: You might be surprised by some of the answers.)

1.  How happy and fulfilled am I with my current job, out of 10?

I love this question.  Be honest with yourself when you consider this one.  It is ok whatever the number is.  If the number is frighteningly low then we know we have some work to do and some changes to make.  At least now we know what we are working with and you can get real about what you can do to increase it.

2.  What, more than anything, do I want from my career?

Think about where you want your career to be 10 year from now.  What will you be doing? Will it be exactly the same as what you are doing now? If it is not…. what steps will you need to take to achieve this shift in your career?

Will you be leading a team? What will others be saying about how you lead and what you contribute to the team, the organisation or even the industry? 

Visualising your future is a powerful strategy for identifying a clear pathway forward.

3.  What does success look like to me?

Our “criteria for success” is different for all of us.  For some it is to secure a high paying role, for others it is achieving happy harmony at home while also contributing to a challenging role at work.  Whatever it is, it is just perfect for you.  Don’t let anyone else’s definition of success cloud your own judgment and the path you take.  

4.  What specific aspects of my work do I love?

Get clear about what you are great at and what you love to do.  They are very often the same … but not always.  We some times become really good at tasks that we actually don’t enjoy.  Some years ago I became known for my expertise in preparing for safety audits.  I was very good at it … but found the work tedious and uninspiring. 

When we find the “Sweet Spot” between what we are good at, what we love to do and what is our purpose in life… we become unstoppable.  I wonder what your “Sweet Spot” is?

5.  What can I do in the next 2 weeks to bring more joy, passion and fulfillment to my work?

This is where the rubber hits the road.  Life is too short to merely drift along.  Creating a career and life you love takes answering the tough questions of what you really want, then going out there and taking action. 

Start small.  It is often the 1% shifts that make the big difference in how much joy, passion and fulfillment we experience from our work. 

So what can you do today, tomorrow or sometime in the next 2 weeks to create the changes you would like to see in your career?  It might mean having a conversation with your boss about a project you would really love to work on, having coffee with a potential mentor or creating a 5 year plan for your career. 

Life is too short to not be happy and fulfilled by your work.  We spend so much of our time engaged in our work… we may as well enjoy it.  Take the time now to reflect on how you would like it to be and start today to take the small (or giant leaps) to move toward creating a career and life you love.

 

LET'S CONNECT

Facebook Linkedin
Focus On Leadership

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Join “Leading Ladies” – a private FREE Facebook group of over 1600 other mid-career professional women to inspire and support
Join the newsletter list for weekly tips and strategies showing you how to ignite your career, lead your way and accelerate your success. 
Watch The Next Level Training to breakthrough to the next level of leadership, impact and recognition.  
Get my best tips on working smarter not harder 
Read my latest blog post.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact my team.

Similar Blog Posts

What the Queen taught me about…

As I sat on the couch this week watching the Queens funeral, I was transfixed by the pomp and ceremony of it all. There’s no doubt the Pom’s know how to create a sense of occasion.

Here we were, witnessing history.

Jane Benston

Businessman having stress in the office

Leading through and beyond burnout

Imagine this….

You’re sitting in the car park at work with a splitting headache and with that sinking feeling of here we go again. The 3 coffees you’ve downed already to give you a bit of an energetic lift haven’t helped; in fact, you feel more than a little shaky. Your phone has lit up like a Christmas tree with fires you’re expected to put out, yet all you want to do is book a room at the nearest hotel, close the blinds and sleep for days.

Jane Benston

Time’s Change But Not Fast Enough

Yesterday we farewelled my partner’s Mum… at the ripe old age of 101!

Sadly, I never got to know her before dementia stole her memory and much of her spark, but Betty clearly was a special woman. As I sat in the chapel listening to her life story, I reflected on how different her life would have been if she had lived in a different era.

Jane Benston

Posted on

5 Keys To Getting Noticed At Work

5 Keys To Getting Noticed At Work

Why is it that we can sometimes work really hard putting in long hours, contributing enormous value to the team or achieved extraordinary results and still we feel invisible at work? 

It doesn’t matter how great you are at your job if no one is noticing you.  It is impossible to be a leader with influence or to make a positive impact with those that matter if you go unnoticed.

Opportunities of working on an exciting project, receiving a pay rise or even having time with a great mentor will pass you by if your skills, talents and real contribution are hidden from view.

Have you ever wondered “Why did they get promoted and not me?” Or “ What is it about me that makes me feel like I blend into the background?”

So I wonder … how noticeable are you? 

Sometimes we can get in the way of our own career success, without even realising it.  We stay quiet in meetings, we fail to let anyone know about the work we are doing, waiting and hoping that someone will notice or we deflect credit or accolades that do come our way. 

The truth is that being competent in your role is not enough! Leadership success is not just about how technically proficient you are.  It’s also about the relationships you build and getting known throughout the entire business for all the right reasons.

So it is time to step up and stand out

Here are 5 things to think about to help you stand out and get noticed for all of the great things that you are doing!

1.  Make your work speak for itself.  Obviously mediocre results are not enough to get you notice!  Be prepared to take on projects that show your skills and your willingness to stretch and grow.  Just getting by doesn’t impress anyone.  Be seen as a problem solver with innovative ideas than make not only you but also your entire department look good.

2.  Manage your brand.  Your leadership brand is your identity, your reputation and how others see you.  It is what comes to mind when your name is mentioned.  It conveys what you are known for, what you are good (or not so good) at.

Make sure that you take care of your brand and shape it so as you are known for the attributes that are authentically you and will assist you with your career progression.

3.  Actively network.  Creating meaningful connections both within your organisation and externally is important.  Many people, particularly introverts, find networking painfully uncomfortable but when we remember at its heart, networking is all about having a conversation with one other person and making a connection with them, it seems somewhat less daunting.

Some years ago while I was working as an advisor for a large corporate and spending most of the week out on the road, I would always make a point to walk the office and develop connections and maintain relationships with key people on the days I was in the office.  In doing this I created a tribe of supporters who not only helped me out when I needed but also advocated for me and championed for my success. 

Who would you like to get to know better?  Make a time to catch up with them focusing initially on how you can assist them before expecting anything other than friendship in return.

4.  Attitude is everything.  Every day we get to choose the attitude we bring to work. That attitude will impact our results, the experience we have and how those around us experience us.  We all like working with people who have a positive attitude where the focus is on positivity and possibilities rather than on negativity, blaming and gossip. 

Commit to being someone others would want to work with and in the process your reputation as a great person to have on the team will grow.

“The choice to have a great attitude is something nobody or no circumstance can take away from you”
~ Zig Ziglar

5.  Believe in your value.  Until you believe in your value … no one else will!  It is as simple as that.  We are all attracted to and follow people who act with certainty and confidence so if you don’t have bucket loads of this yet – “act as if” until you do. 

Decide today to speak up in meetings.  Your opinion matters and we all have great ideas that need to be heard.  Get comfortable with not always having others agree and as a mentor so eloquently put to me once “get off the fence and have an opinion.”

The bottom line here is to avoid the attitude of “It’s not fair.  I never seem to get noticed.” Be on the front foot and create your own opportunities to shine.  Become comfortable about “tooting” your own horn in a way that highlights your value without being egotistical.  Believe in your value and know that you deserve to be noticed.  From this advantage point only good things can grow.

Speak up and let your voice be heard!  

LET'S CONNECT

Facebook Linkedin
Focus On Leadership

Click below to…

Join “Leading Ladies” – a private FREE Facebook group of over 1600 other mid-career professional women to inspire and support
Join the newsletter list for weekly tips and strategies showing you how to ignite your career, lead your way and accelerate your success. 
Watch The Next Level Training to breakthrough to the next level of leadership, impact and recognition.  
Get my best tips on working smarter not harder 
Read my latest blog post.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact my team.

Similar Blog Posts

What the Queen taught me about…

As I sat on the couch this week watching the Queens funeral, I was transfixed by the pomp and ceremony of it all. There’s no doubt the Pom’s know how to create a sense of occasion.

Here we were, witnessing history.

Jane Benston

Businessman having stress in the office

Leading through and beyond burnout

Imagine this….

You’re sitting in the car park at work with a splitting headache and with that sinking feeling of here we go again. The 3 coffees you’ve downed already to give you a bit of an energetic lift haven’t helped; in fact, you feel more than a little shaky. Your phone has lit up like a Christmas tree with fires you’re expected to put out, yet all you want to do is book a room at the nearest hotel, close the blinds and sleep for days.

Jane Benston

Time’s Change But Not Fast Enough

Yesterday we farewelled my partner’s Mum… at the ripe old age of 101!

Sadly, I never got to know her before dementia stole her memory and much of her spark, but Betty clearly was a special woman. As I sat in the chapel listening to her life story, I reflected on how different her life would have been if she had lived in a different era.

Jane Benston