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7 PILLARS FOR CAREER PROGRESSION 

I would like to share 7 pillars in respect of career progression that I have found useful from personal experience and observing other people. 
First, let’s define ‘Career’. According to the dictionary, a career is a series of jobs a person does in a particular area and usually involves increasing responsibility over time. So, it is a SERIES of jobs. And progression includes increasing RESPONSIBILITY, with hopefully, INCREASING INCOME

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So,

PILLAR 1: SELF-DISCOVERY. 

What are you good at, and what do you enjoy doing? What are your gifts and talents? If you enjoy what you do, it’s more likely you will excel at it. Do what you enjoy, or enjoy what you do.

I discovered mine of understanding people and consumer behavior, communication and strategy, and that has helped my marketing career. 

PILLAR 2: SERVICE 

Recognize that your career is a service to someone, the company you work with, and its customers. When you give value, you increase your chances of getting value in return. Your Career is a means to an end, not the end itself. 

PILLAR 3. PERSONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES

What do you stand for?What do you want to be known for? It is important to establish Values you would live by. They will be like a compass for you, and guide you as you progress in your career. For example, one of my values is integrity; this for me means that my word is my bond. When I make a promise, I strive to fulfill it. If for whatever reason, I’m unable to, I proactively say so. This has helped to build reputation and helped my career. Another is the pursuit of excellence. I constantly aim to do better than I did yesterday. Values help to put you on right path. 

PILLAR 4: Have a career VISION & MISSION. 

Where do you want to be over time?Develop the road-map to achieve your goals. Have milestones but be flexible and adaptable. 

PILLAR 5: DILIGENCE. 

Be outstanding. Stand out. Pursue excellence. Be the best you can be. Every job is a preparation for the next. Even when you are unhappy with current job, do it well. Every new role that I have gone into, has come about because of performance in previous roles. Learn, unlearn and relearn. Learn from mistakes. When your career is stalling, seek ways to reinvent yourself. 
“We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit” (Aristotle)

PILLAR 6: RELATIONSHIPS

Iron sharpens iron. Keep right company. Network with purpose: ‘know-who’ is as important as ‘know-how’. “Dig your well before you are thirsty”Have Mentors, Sounding boards, Cheerleaders, Critics.
  

PILLAR 7: THE DIVINE. 

Time and chance happens so my experience tells me to pray and trust God. There are people who have possibly worked harder and smarter than I have, but haven’t progressed as much in their careers. So I believe in the GOD and GRACE factor. 

Author – Lampe Omoyele