Be unforgettable
Curate Your Career is about focusing on opportunities that enhance the career you want to have. In order to Curate Your Career you have to be clear about what you want or be committed to doing the work to define your vision and deliver your very best work. Being great at what you do will take you further than any degree or job ever could. Your work tells the story of who you are, what you stand for, and highlights your unique capabilities. When you are known for delivering high quality work, on time and beyond the expectations outlined, you are leaving an impression that will serve you throughout your career. Your work is a reminder of your talent and commitment to success. People that benefit from your work will never forget the impression you made and will advocate for your success even in your absence.
While making an impression on other people is wonderful, delivering your very best work is about so much more than impressing others. It's more important to impress yourself. Be unforgettable for yourself and your brand, because both will define your career as you progress. Even as you switch companies or industries your commitment to the quality of your work goes with you, along with the reputation you have garnered. Deliver your best output as a motivator for your future goals. As you achieve more success throughout your career, you will find that it gets easier to expand your reach. The added benefit of holding yourself accountable to your own standard is that you will always be prepared to deliver great quality work as you gain more experience and responsibility over time. To be clear, this is not about doing the most work or working the longest hours. Neither of those approaches are as beneficial for you as they are for your colleagues that are more than happy to have you carry more of the workload. Contribute your fair share with the highest quality you can deliver. Save the time and energy of trying to demonstrate your commitment through performative means. You will be tired, stressed, and no further along then when you started in most cases.
Don't forget the basics- be responsible, reliable, and who you say you are. Lead with integrity and have confidence in your abilities. Being able to build trust with colleagues and leaders starts with your consistency. Consistently meeting deadlines, being responsive, and knowledgeable are just a few ways to quickly establish trust at work. Trust will buy you grace when you need it and space to thrive in your role without anyone feeling the need to micromanage your every move. Each of these characteristics are necessary in establishing your personal brand. These traits also help you to stand firm in who you are, giving you the fortitude to thrive in the face of adversity. There will always be adversity.
Lastly, pour into others. No matter your level of experience, share what you learn along the way. This will always be a focus for Career Curators as they forge new paths. Sharing your knowledge is a rewarding act that benefits you as much as the person you are sharing with. While sharing what you've learned along the way, you are also able to recall more of your journey. Often, as we make progress it's difficult to gauge how far we have actually come. We tend to summarize experiences that were once daunting. It is motivating and confidence boosting to revisit the moments when you weren't sure the next step was possible, yet you persisted and ultimately came out on top.
Being unforgettable is only possible when you are comfortable with who you are and committed to a vision that will help you become the person you want to be. Each of us have our own inherent gifts to share with the world. Those gifts shine through when we show up as our authentic selves. There's not another you on this planet and we're all waiting to meet you and support you on your career and overall life journey.
*Written by the fire in my quiet family room.