4 rules for staying focused on your career goals - MCI Institute

Working towards a promotion, while fulfilling your current job role and juggling commitments outside of work can seem like an insurmountable challenge. Don’t get us wrong: moving up the career ladder certainly takes hard work, but it’s far from impossible. If you’ve got your eye on a promotion, take note of the following tips for career, to make your journey that much easier.

Keep your eye on the prize

It’s easy to lose focus on career when you’re caught up in the day-to-day. But if you don’t regularly remind yourself about your goals, it’s easy to put them on the back burner. Whether you jot your goals down in your diary, set reminders on your phone or change your screensaver to a reminder that’ll reignite your drive, make it as easy as possible  to remember what it is you want to achieve.  

Track your progress

For most of us, meaningful progress doesn’t happen in leaps and bounds. The real work is done in small, incremental steps. While it may feel like you’re treading water, mark each “career-furthering” milestone down. This could be as small as reading a business progression book, or as significant as obtaining an online diploma. Celebrate each step and remind yourself that slow and steady really does win the race.

Don’t go it alone

One of the primary reasons why New Year’s resolutions and drastic career goals never come to fruition is not having adequate support. The internet is awash with business coaching forums and resources, and is a good place to start if you’re feeling isolated in your pursuit of career progression. This is why it’s so important to have a mentor—whether they’re an industry associate, colleague or friend—who’ll spur you on when the going gets tough.

Invest in further education

If you want to take the next step in your career, you need to equip yourself with the relevant skills and competencies. One of the most convenient ways to upskill is via  online courses. Designed with flexibility and convenience in mind, you can learn when and where it suits you.  

To learn more about career development, download our guide, ‘Fast-Track Your Career By Studying Online.