How You Can Become Successful In Any Job

By Selipha Kihagi

You’ve probably heard the following phrase all your life, but I will say it anyway; “You can do anything you put your mind to”. It may be a cliche that you’ve grown tired of hearing, but sometimes we all need something to be repeated to us over and over in order to fully grasp it. Let’s explore how this phrase is applicable in today’s job market.

Many times you have been advised to take up only the jobs you are really qualified for, or to take on a job that you really love and have a passion for. But what happens when you can’t find these opportunities? What if your passion is not really fit for the current job market? Do you stay frustrated and broke hoping that something will come up?

The answer you are looking for is No. Sometimes you have to take up jobs you have no liking for in order to find your way into what you really want to do. And for you to find your way into your dream job, you need to first succeed in whatever you are doing. Successful people start from somewhere, and if you’ve read their stories then you know “this somewhere” was never that endearing. Yet they did it anyway…and became successful!

4 Tips To Becoming Successful In Any Job

1. Forget about that dream job for a minute
This does not mean you give up on your dream job, No! It means you put it on hold. Getting to your ideal destination will demand that you take on a journey full of hurdles. If your journey has been smooth, then you are among the lucky few – the very few, or you were just born into a life of success.

Most successful people started doing jobs they didn’t really want because that was what was available at the moment, do the same too. You never know who you bump into.

2. Constantly make clear and well laid out goals
After deciding to put a pause button on your coveted job or career, establish a plan and lay out your goals. For you to become successful and move from position A to B, you need to perform beyond expectation at A. This will require that you have defined objectives and goals every now and then.

When your good work brings results, you get noticed. When you get noticed, you become number one on the promotion list.

3. Find out what’s interesting about the job, then build on it
You may come across a job that you don’t even like, or sometimes the boss you meet makes your days at work unbearable. It may be easier for you to quit because you are not happy at it and would rather be doing something worthwhile. Before you make a decision to leave the job, try and find out what’s good about it…there is always something. Ask successful people, most will confirm this to be true.

It could be a nice co-worker or the good coffee, or may be the company takes care of your lunch. However simple it might be, build on it and look forward to it every day. You’ll find that you finish your work faster and have time to enjoy those little moments.

4. Use the job to make new connections

Sometimes you have to befriend the enemy to achieve a goal; most successful people have had to tolerate difficult people or clients to get to where they are. If you really hate the job you are doing but want to keep it because it pays your bills, treat it like a necessary evil.

Use your title and the company name to get ahead. Think about it; An Accounting Professional who is a data entry clerk at Company X is better placed than the one job searching 5 years on because they can’t find their ideal job.

Know where you want to go first, then identify which route will get you there. Small wins are what propels you to the big ones, don’t be afraid of failing that you miss out on opportunities.

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