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How Do You Define A Successful Career?

Forbes Human Resources Council
POST WRITTEN BY
Adam Mellor

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Some people say it takes two to three years to get "good" at your job. But what about the next step above just "good"? I've been thinking about how we become successful recruiters.

Success, defined as the accomplishment of an aim or purpose, is typically on the forefront of everyone’s minds, whether on a conscious or unconscious level. Most professionals desire to be successful at whatever it is they do. Some reach it and benefit from the rewards of being successful, others do not. Why is that? Is it because one person makes more money than the other? Is it because one person gets promoted and the other does not?

I’ve read a lot of self-help articles and books and over the years, and I’ve come to realize that no one oversees my success but me. Yes, I know, we’ve heard that a dozen times, right? Well, it’s true. The problem for me was that even though I was reading it often, it never sank in. I never accepted it. I continued going to work, trying to impress the right people and standing by while waiting for them to promote me or give me more money because my measure of success was money and title. Yes, I’m as guilty of that thinking as many others out there. So, I spun my wheels while not moving very fast, all the while wondering when it was my turn. With this approach, you will be waiting quite some time.

But you can control your own success and, as a side effect, happiness. What is your measure for success? Is it obtainable? How are you going to get there?

If what you consider as success is far from reach, then you better buckle in for the long haul. Your self-worth, value, attitude and/or happiness are all impacted negatively or positively based on what you consider as a success. So, if you don’t "become successful" very often or reach a goal or purpose, you might not be very happy with yourself — and the mind tends to play tricky games on those who are unhappy. We start making excuses as to why we didn’t become successful. Not our fault, right? Wrong. Sorry, but that is the truth.

Here’s what I did to combat this thought trap.

I changed what I considered to be a success and accepted who and what I was. That was pretty much it. We all have it in us to become better, and I’m sure most know how to grow personally and professionally to get better as human beings and employees. It starts with doing your job then going above and beyond. We have the skill sets to get there, but we don’t always have the right foundation or goal.

What do you mean by the foundation?

Be honest, and give yourself a proper assessment. Where is your head at? Where is your level of skill and knowledge in your current job? Who are you really? You are the foundation. If you rate yourself higher than where you truly are, then you’re missing all the valuable lessons and failures that you would have experienced if you went through each level, instead of bypassing a layer in your foundation filling it with empty space. I would be ticked off if my contractor built my home on a foundation that had lots of air pockets in it.

What do you mean by a goal?

For example, I will use compensation. Let’s say you want to make your first million, and that is your measure for success. Let’s say it takes you 25 years to hit that goal. That’s 25 years of "Argh!"

Break it down and make it easier to obtain to lessen the frustrations. Think of all the "successes" you could have obtained in the middle on that path! First $100,000. First $250,000. Maybe $500,000. Essentially, strive to reach the goal in baby steps and not all at once.

You’re probably thinking, duh, I knew that already. Of course, you cannot hit a million without hitting a hundred thousand first. But answer this honestly: Do you get frustrated that you haven’t hit that big goal yet?

In closing, your mind is your most powerful ally and enemy. Use it to create your success and path in life or use it to achieve your goals and deal with all the frustrations that come with reaching for something. It’s all in how you decide to use it and view the things that happen in life. Create a lot of mini success stories that make up a big story, like chapters in a book. Or, settle for the opposite. It’s not about what society thinks about your goals or value. What do they know? Everything that makes up who you are is unique. Whichever way you decide, accept that decision and go be your best self.

Forbes Human Resources Council is an invitation-only organization for HR executives across all industries. Do I qualify?