Habits for a successful career and life hacks for their development

 

The labour market is changing extremely quickly. Just 10 years ago, it was enough for a person to decide on a profession once, master the necessary competencies at a university or college, and then simply work conscientiously in his specialty.

 

Today the situation is different: technologies are actively developing, the economy is rapidly transforming. To achieve professional success and maintain your competitiveness in such conditions, you need to constantly develop habits, not only hard ones, but also flexible ones. In this article we will tell you which career habits are especially important now and how you can improve them.

 

Critical thinking

It is a valuable intellectual tool that allows a person to remain open to alternatives—to consider different points of view rather than agreeing with the first opinion they hear. The presence of critical thinking helps an employee to identify the true causes of problems, build logically sound arguments, see the hidden meanings of words and subtext in communications, as well as adequately assess the reliability of information and break it down into components.

 

You can develop this habit in different ways. Train yourself to think deeper, ask questions about what is happening, practice analysing texts - highlight the main thing, discard the unimportant and evaluate the reliability of the information. Active listening and taking into account other people’s points of view also helps in developing habits - participate in discussions and debates. Finally, reflect on the correctness of each of your decisions - was the result what you expected?

 

Emotional intellect

Emotional intelligence is one of the most important soft habits in career development. People with developed EQ know how to express their thoughts and feelings, know how to restrain aggression in conflict situations, always set realistic goals and find the motivation to realize them. They are capable of constructive dialogue, cope with stress more effectively than others and tolerate change more easily.

 

How to improve emotional intelligence: 

1. Whenever you experience certain feelings, stop and try to become aware of them. To achieve greater effect, regularly record your emotions and sensations in a diary.
2. Develop empathy - learn to listen and understand the needs of others, put yourself in other people's shoes.
3. Learn methods of relieving stress - try meditation, breathing exercises.
4. Do not allow yourself to conflict, watch your speech and body movements. Think about what kind of reaction does communication with you cause in people?
5. Develop tolerance - accept the cultural characteristics and worldview of your interlocutors.
6. Practice recognizing emotions - pay attention to the intonation, gestures and facial expressions of others.

 

Self-motivation

Self-motivated people are highly valued in the labour market. They have internal goals, a desire to improve, an interest in the work they do, and a clear understanding of their own values.

 

The management will not stick to an employee who needs to be regularly “kicked” and given additional encouragement. Get used to finding the strength to cope with difficulties and draw energy from activities that inspire you. 

 

How to develop self-motivation habits and build a career:

1. Take time and think slowly about what you want to achieve. Break your goals into smaller ones - this way you will understand where to start and where to go.
2. Find out what activities inspire you and make time for them regularly.
3. Surround yourself with people with similar values. Attend seminars and trainings, do networking.
4. Visualizing success will help you maintain focus and prevent you from getting discouraged if things don't go according to plan.
5. Reward yourself even for small achievements. For example, shopping or visiting interesting places.
6. Get rid of negative thoughts and doubts, rather focus on positive beliefs.
7. Don't forget about rest. Try to maintain energy and fight fatigue.

 

Fast learner

The world is changing rapidly, so learning ability today is becoming almost the most important habit for a future career. The ability to quickly assimilate new information and apply the acquired knowledge in practice allows a person to easily navigate unfamiliar situations and accept changes without stress.

 

Of course, it is easier for an employee to stick to familiar tools and ways of working. But progress does not stand still - dozens of new technologies are invented every day that can speed up tasks and increase work efficiency. Accustom yourself to constant learning, including independent learning, train your memory and perform analytical exercises.

 

Habit to work in team

“No one can do this better than me, my idea is the most successful, management should only see my achievements,” this is how careerists most often think. But you are not the only employee in the enterprise - results are also expected from your colleagues, and you are not able to take on all the processes. 

 

Therefore, for the employer, your ability to get along with the team, unite it and listen to the opinions of others is much more important. Of course, no one has cancelled the realization of leadership potential and defending one’s own point of view, but only at the right time.

 

Improving the ability to interact in a team requires regular practice. Develop communication habits, show respect to people, be tolerant, voice common goals, actively participate in discussions, work on conflict resolution and learn to find compromises.

 

Technology proficiency

Just a few years ago, new technology caused excitement in society. Today, there are so many gadgets and programs that it is simply impossible to keep track of all the new products. Meanwhile, it is impossible to avoid the technological trend - very soon it will be difficult to find a job without the ability to apply AI algorithms, distinguish augmented reality from virtual reality, and generally navigate the “ocean of IT”.

 

The most effective way to keep up in this matter is to subscribe to news about modern technologies, learn any programming language, use the tools you have mastered in your work and update them regularly.

 

Ability to analyse data

Statistics give companies unprecedented insight into customer behaviour and the effectiveness of various strategies. While data science is an incredibly deep topic, you don't have to be an expert to benefit from it. Start with this:

• Learn the basics of statistics - master concepts such as mean, median, standard deviation.
• Master the most popular tools. For example, Microsoft Excel, R, Python, Tableau.
• Familiarize yourself with data analysis methods (correlation, regression and cluster).
• Learn to visualize data using graphs and charts.
• Look for trends and patterns - they will help you notice the factors influencing results and make smart management decisions.

Time management habits

Many people think that a boss will certainly notice a subordinate who regularly sits in the office late and takes work home. He is so dedicated to his work and sincerely cares about the success of his projects! But in reality the opposite is true. In the eyes of the manager, such an employee looks unreliable - he either takes on tasks just before the deadline, or does not know how to properly organize time during the day.

 

You can learn time management in various online courses, but it is better to learn this habit in practice. Take the actions from the list above, but don’t forget about work-life balance. Forming the habit of keeping track of time occurs gradually. Let creating a daily plan be your first step towards career change.

 

Negotiation and conflict resolution habits

For the sake of peace in the team, managers are ready to show the door to even experienced subordinates. There are practically no irreplaceable experts around whom bosses and colleagues dance with a tambourine. No matter what heights you reach, respect other employees, negotiate, find compromises and do not stoop to complaints and insults. 

 

Negotiation and conflict resolution habits will also be useful to you when communicating with partners and clients:

• Be honest and show interest in the needs and expectations of your interlocutors.
• Actively listen and try to understand people's true motives and desires. Ask questions - this will show that you care.
• Prepare for negotiations in advance. Try to find out as much information as possible about your interlocutor.
• Learn to manage your emotions. Stay calm and confident so you don't make hasty decisions.
• Look for mutually beneficial solutions, abandon rigid positions and offer compromises.
• Learn to argue your position and convince your partner of the correctness of your proposals.
• If misunderstandings or conflicts arise, be prepared to admit a mistake.

 It is important to learn to find a common language with any interlocutor and show flexibility, even if he is a difficult person. Develop empathy , read non-fiction about this habit and practice - you can even start with relatives whom you never want to call.

 

Networking

Networking can play a decisive role in your career. A new acquaintance can suggest you a useful contact, provide you with a lucrative discount, and offer you a job or a deal. But, of course, not at the first meeting. To get something, you need to learn how to maintain relationships and respond to requests.

 

How to make useful contacts:

1.   Don't stop developing. If you are poorly oriented in the professional field, more advanced people will not be interested in you. Remember that networking is not only about exchanging contacts, but also about mutual assistance.

 

2.   Strive to build quality relationships, not talk to as many people as possible. You will not be able to prove your expertise, show your openness, inspire trust and interest a hundred interlocutors. Two or three per event is enough.

 

3.   Make it a habit to arrive early for meetings. By the start of a meetup, business breakfast or speech, the invitees begin to cluster into small groups. If you are late or arrive exactly at the appointed time, starting a conversation will be much more difficult.

 

4.   Don't let your new acquaintances forget about you. There is no need to be intrusive, but what you should definitely do is remind yourself two days after the meeting. You can send a letter thanking them for their help or add the person as a friend on social networks.

 

5.   Go to networking events. Here you will be surrounded by people who came specifically for the sake of dating. Talk about yourself, listen carefully to others, and exchange phone numbers.

 

6.   Join thematic communities. Search for groups on social networks using the term “networking.” Publish a post describing your services and take the time to format it properly.

 

7.   Get to know the people you work with. Be open with your colleagues, invite them for coffee, and order a taxi for two. Clients are also potential acquaintances. Behave courteously, warn about risks, ask whether customers are satisfied with the service - they will see you as a professional and begin to recommend you to others.

 

8.   Keep in touch with classmates and fellow students. School friends can give you advice “as old friends” in any field, and university friends are dozens of people who received the same specialty as you.

Universal advice - listen to people carefully, be careful when choosing words and practice building social connections.