Planning Your Successful Career: 15 Ideas

"Doing a good job is one of the most important ways to move up the ladder", says Dr. Don Bagin, Professor of Communications at Glassbro State College.

If you are one of the many people who do a good job consistently but are not noticed by top management, here are some suggestions to help you get on the fast track:

Smiling: Research has shown that people who smile are perceived to be more intelligent than those who don't.

Prioritizing: Avoid spending a great deal of time on things that aren't important just because you are good at them. The person who gets ahead is the person who establishes priorities and sets aside time for them accordingly.

Walking: Choose to walk rather than drive as often as possible. And when you do, walk at least ten to fifteen percent faster than you normally would. Somehow this faster pace communicates to others that you are a person with a mission who is eager to get the job done.

Speaking actively: Use the active voice when speaking or writing. Listen to the difference: "I prepared and delivered the reports promptly." Compare it to "The report was promptly prepared and delivered." Although the second one told you something, many more questions were left unanswered.

Knowing your boss: Get to understand your boss' personality and when to approach him or her. If your boss is a morning person, be sure that you come up with your suggestions and proposals in the morning while he is most receptive.

Volunteering: While being careful not to overdo it, volunteer for special projects and responsibilities outside of your working hours and job description.

Expressing gratitude: Develop the habit of sending brief notes of thanks to anyone who has made your day easier.

Positively speaking: Look for positive things to say about people, especially your co-workers.

Being approachable: Make yourself approachable. Let people know when and how to reach you.

Following-up: After a task-assigning meeting, follow-up immediately on those assignments that were given to you.

Spotting trends: Learn to spot trends that affect your company or agency. Be the first person to alert those in a position to capitalize on them.

Presenting effectively: Be certain that you speak clearly and precisely when making presentations. Speak with confidence and admit honestly when you don't know, but promise to return with an answer promptly.

Reading the trades: Determine which publications top management is reading, then get a copy of them so that you, too, can become knowledgeable of relevant matters.

Making contact: Establish a contact person in all your referral sources. Make it a point to meet with that person so that you can get to know each other. It will help make your future contacts easier for both of you.

Remembering your manners: Never forget to be polite or to follow the proper protocol. It lets people know that you mean business, that you take your business relationships seriously.

Put these fifteen ideas into practice, and I guarantee you that you will see yourself progressing faster and farther than you think.

Remember: When you maximize your potential, everyone wins. When you don't, we all lose.

© Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW

PERMISSION TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in ezines, newsletters, and on web sites provided attribution is provided to the author, and it appears with the included copyright, resource box and live web site link. Although advance permission is not required, please notify us at eagibbs@ureach.com when you use this article. We would also appreciate receiving a copy of your publication with the article included.

Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW, Management Consultant and Trainer, conducts seminars, lectures, and writes articles on his theme: ... helping you maximize your potential. He offers management, marketing and parenting resources at http://www.maximizingyourpotential.blogspot.c om

---

Google News Updated : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:11:53 GMT Boston fire truck smashes into building; 4 injured - The Associated Press NECN Boston fire truck smashes into building; 4 injured The Associated Press - 1 hour ago BOSTON (AP) - The Boston Fire Department says a ladder truck has crashed into a high-rise apartment building, injuring at least four firefighters. Fire truck crashes into Boston building NECN Boston firefighter killed when truck crashes into building Boston Globe Boston Channel.com - My Fox Boston - WWLP 22News - WTEN all 269 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:01:03 GMT Ukraine limits gas consumption as cut-off bites - Reuters ABC News Ukraine limits gas consumption as cut-off bites Reuters - 1 hour ago By Pavel Polityuk and Guy Faulconbridge KIEV, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Ukraine limited gas supplies to industrial customers on Friday to ensure the pipeline system remained operational, the latest sign that the dispute is starting to further sap Ukraine's ... Video: Ukraine is blackmailing us Putin RussiaToday Europe Kept Waiting for Gas Voice of America Bloomberg - Financial Times - Monsters and Critics.com - BBC News all 8,375 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:08:44 GMT UN agency to resume Gaza aid work - BBC News WELT ONLINE UN agency to resume Gaza aid work BBC News - 1 hour ago The UN aid agency Unrwa is to resume operations in Gaza as soon as possible after receiving assurances on safety from Israel, a spokeswoman said. Video: Rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel france24english UN aid chief disappointed Gaza truce call ignored Reuters New York Times - The Associated Press - Xinhua - Aljazeera.net all 39,172 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:25:09 GMT US lost 2.6 million jobs in 2008 - International Herald Tribune The Associated Press US lost 2.6 million jobs in 2008 International Herald Tribune - 2 hours ago By Louis Uchitelle NEW YORK: US employers shed 2.6 million jobs in 2008, the worst year since 1945, the government reported Friday, and a rapidly deteriorating economy promises more significant losses ahead. Video: Jobless Rate Jumps to 7.2 Percent in December AssociatedPress Unemployment hits 7.2 percent Bizjournals.com Washington Post - MarketWatch - Forbes - TheStreet.com all 2,018 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:56:06 GMT Report: COBRA cost outweighs Florida jobless benefit - Bizjournals.com ABC News Report: COBRA cost outweighs Florida jobless benefit Bizjournals.com - 1 hour ago Florida is one of nine states in which the average premium for COBRA, providing health care coverage for laid-off workers and their families, equals or exceeds the average unemployment benefits, according to a study by Families USA. Unemployed: Out of Luck, Out of Health Care ABC News Health insurance no bargain for unemployed: group Reuters The Associated Press - Asheville Citizen-Times - Sun-Sentinel.com - CBS News all 164 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:25:59 GMT Palin: Media Portrayal Would Be 'Prettier' If She'd Been Dem VP ... - ABC News ABC News Palin: Media Portrayal Would Be 'Prettier' If She'd Been Dem VP ... ABC News - 39 minutes ago By LEE FERRAN Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is still fuming over the coverage she received during the presidential campaign and claims that if she were from a different "class" or political party, the her coverage would have much "prettier. Palin: Crazy or Crazy Like a Fox? Washington Post Finally! Sarah Strikes Back at the Mainstream Media FOXNews The Associated Press - People Magazine - E! Online - Wall Street Journal Blogs all 621 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:32:12 GMT SCENARIOS: Challenges for Obama intelligence team - Reuters SCENARIOS: Challenges for Obama intelligence team Reuters - 36 minutes ago WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama on Friday named retired Adm. Dennis Blair to oversee US spy agencies as director of national intelligence, and chose former White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta as CIA director. Obama completes national security team The Associated Press Pelosi on Panetta: ''Impeccable judgment, unquestioned integrity'' San Francisco Chronicle USA Today - MSNBC - Voice of America - Bloomberg all 3,238 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:35:19 GMT RSS For Web Pages Website Traffic Promotion

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Interviewing Over Lunch: Are You at Risk?

Sometimes a hiring process will include having lunch with the... Read More

7 Steps To A Job-Winning Resume

A new resume can jump-start your career. Your network contacts... Read More

5 Key Factors to Consider When Selecting an Outplacement Firm

With today's economy, more and more companies are... Read More

Hot Business Trends for 2004? And Beyond: Maybe One Will Turn Into a Creative Business Idea for You

I always look forward to the December issue of... Read More

Prepare for Your Performance Review Before You Start the Job

When you start a new job, you probably realize the... Read More

Interview Questions: How To Stump The Interviewer

In the limited time an interviewer has with you, their... Read More

What To Do When Your Boss Is a Butthead

I've never worked for a boss I didn't like or... Read More

Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Try, Try, Again

This article relates to the Career Opportunities competency and explores... Read More

Perceptions

How was your latest car wash experience?Did you take your... Read More

Job Search -- One of the Secrets of a Trade Show

A trade show is a great place to network, look... Read More

What Every Employee Should Know About How to Overcome Boredom

Do you find yourself easily becoming bored or tired at... Read More

Finding a Career in Harmony with Your Life Path

Which of the following would you chose? Doing your lifework... Read More

Home Healthcare Careers

One of the fastest growing sectors of the medical industry... Read More

Drive Your Career Change ? A Direct Approach

If your career has gone off the road, take control... Read More

Three Myths About Resume Writing

Your perspective on resumes ? what they are and how... Read More

Career Success: Don?t Be Caught With Your Pants Down

Do you want to know how to jump-start your professional... Read More

What is a Career Anyway?

A career is the sum total of all of your... Read More

Your Job Search -- a Marketing Campaign?

The successful job search is really just a personal marketing... Read More

Creating a Feng Shui Power Office: 6 Easy Tips to More Successful Surroundings

More and more people are looking to gain an edge... Read More

How to Work Effectively With Recruiters

"R-E-S-P-E-C-T / find out what it means to me" is... Read More

What Do Employees Wish for Most (And How To Get It)

What do many employees wish for at work? A bonus... Read More

Self-Knowledge: The Key To Finding The Right Career Direction

Your career, like any journey, has a beginning, an end... Read More

Negotiate Better Job Offers with This Twelve-Point Checklist

You've been through an employer's interview process successfully and have... Read More

Build Your Career Decision By Decision

Do you dislike making decisions and avoid the challenge whenever... Read More

Minding Your Own Business

Think you have gone as far as you can in... Read More