Career master class

Glenford Smith, Career Writer

7 lessons from 2010 to help you succeed in 2011!

Socrates, the founder of moral philosophy, taught that "the unexamined life is not worth living".

My belief in the continuing validity of this idea has influenced my practice, at the end of every year for over a decade now, of what I call 'My Year in Review'.

This is where I write down the most important lessons and insights I learned or was reinforced in during that year.

My special gift to you is my top seven career lessons of 2010. They will help you succeed in 2011 as well as inspire a similar list of your own.

1. You cannot succeed in your career by yourself. I recorded my greatest growth in humility in 2010. I asked for help when I needed it. I learned though that it is crucial to demonstrate commitment and a willingness to take advice and criticism well.

2. Powerful goals provide direction, motivation, and a means of measuring progress. I achieved most - if not all - of the major career goals I had set for 2010. They served as my compass, dictating my schedule and providing milestones to aim for. I've already written down my 2011 career goals. How about you?

3. Do what you love, the money will follow. In 2010, I proved more than ever how powerful it is to honour one's passion. Money is important, but by focusing more on serving others with excellence and loving my work, I inadvertently also created several money-making opportunities.

4. Keep the faith, no matter what. I encountered several obstacles in 2010 but wasn't daunted by them. I never gave in to problems or considered quitting in the face of difficulties. Whatever happens, keep on trying; keep on working hard and you will win eventually.

5. Failure is a friend in disguise - not a foe. I had some career failures and made some mistakes in 2010. A few were especially uncomfortable, even embarrassing. Interestingly however, these experiences taught me my greatest lessons by highlighting my weaknesses and impelling me to grow beyond them.

6. Discipline is really the master-key to success. Consistent actions to achieve specific goals are what ensure career success. For example, sitting down every Monday and Wednesday at 3 p.m. to write my Wednesday and Sunday Careers columns respectively, created the structure to always get them done.

7. Fear is inevitable for growth-oriented people, but can be overcome by taking bold action in spite of the fear. I now welcome fear knowing that my greatest achievements are on the other side of it. It's easy to settle into our comfort zones, but to achieve more we have to be more and do more, which is scary sometimes. Feel the fear and just do it anyway.

Ultimately, the greatest career lessons I'll take into 2011 are the importance of cultivating discipline as a habit, serving others rather than myself, and enjoying my work. I believe these lessons can also help you to attain your important career goals in 2011.

Glenford Smith is a motivational speaker and success strategist.


glenfordsmith@yahoo.com