3 Rules/5 Tips to Steer Your Career
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I am going to lose 30 pounds before summer – and keep it off! I am going to stop smoking, pay off debt, spend more time with family, and volunteer more! Sound familiar?

The point is that nearly every person makes some kind of resolution throughout each year. Some people achieve their goals and some don’t - those who don’t often wonder why, and then promise to do better next time.

Starting a new career (yes, a career change), getting a better job, and improving education can typically be found near the top of many resolution lists. These are also some of the most difficult things to accomplish, caused in part by the “fear factor” (among other challenges). Invariably, this all important personal or family need that helps build a better, happier future turns into a chore – ending up on the list of self-promises for next year!

There’s a very, very close bloodline between careers, jobs, and education – while we’re at it, let’s also toss in professions. Where do you fit into the world of work and how do you get there? Maybe you’re worried about how your high school/college child maps to the working world and the education or college major decision that supports the direction.

Below are 3 rules and 5 fundamental tips for career planning that help gain the vision, focus, and direction to get on track and make good on that 2008 New Year’s resolution.

Apply these rules:

  • Rule #1: You MUST Comprehend. Understand and grasp the fact that career planning takes a personal commitment of time, thought, and energy.

  • Rule #2: You MUST Pledge. Make the personal promise to apply whatever time, thought, and energy is needed to explore, discover, and organize a career plan.

  • Rule #3: You MUST Take Action. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today! Time, thought, energy, comprehending, and pledging requires action. Pledge to yourself that you will comprehend this and act on taking action.
While executing these tips:

  • Tip #1: Set a Clear Goal. Like the family vacation – know the career destination, the quickest path, and the road construction along the way. Discover your interests, likes, abilities, and work values through career interest assessment tools before setting out on the journey. Remember Rule #1!

  • Tip #2: Develop Great Habits. Reaching goals requires discipline and the right attitude. Prioritize the "to do" list and get in a peak performing state of mind! Don’t forget Rules #1 and #2!

  • Tip #3: Fill the Tool Box. Determine tools needed to support the goal and great habits. Gathering information on occupations and college majors, identifying transferable skills, and developing a dynamic eye-catching résumé are all required to build the right career. Rules #1 and #3!

  • Tip #4: Have a Strong Strategy. Create a M.A.P. (Motivational Action Plan), execute it, and adjust it while moving forward. Determine how to spend time and how the résumé will be used effectively. Have a plan "B." Review Rules #1, #2 and #3!

  • Tip #5: Master Skills. Researching information and education, networking, and interviewing are all keys to executing a career planning or job search strategy. Again, Rules #1, #2 and #3 are critical!
Career planning is not a "quick fix" approach to work happiness - there is not instant gratification (sometimes a society we witness). Career planning is a process that may be done in-depth more than once in a person’s life, and regular career management checkups should definitely be done once a year.

Remember to apply the 3 rules as you execute the 5 fundamental tips!