How Women Can Successfully Redefine Career Ambitions
For decades, the concept of women in the workforce has been changing and evolving. Women now strive to be equals, achieve big success, obtain that corner office, and grow their salaries like never before. The sky is the limit, forget the glass ceiling.
With that said, there are still many barriers still in existence that cause women to play on an uneven field in the workplace. In order to make the needed changes, women must keep fighting the good fight and break down the barriers in their way.
If you’re unhappy in your current situation, you don’t need to stay in an unhealthy environment. Here are some tips to successfully redefine your career goals.
Set Clear Goals
When you want to redefine ambitions, it’s important to have a clear set of goals. Use the SMART method to establish such goals.
Your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and have a time frame. Break these down into short-term and long-term goals so they’re not overwhelming and motivate you as you move forward.
Redefine Success
If you’re looking to make a change, try to define what success means to you. Don’t confine yourself to one idea or another. And don’t let your previous roles be the only deciding factor.
Reflect on what matters to you the most. What do you value? What are you passionate about? Are there any new interests you’d like to explore? Where do you thrive? What motivates you?
Connect with a Strong Network
Having a support system is important for all aspects of life. This holds true for your career network as well. Try connecting with other peers who have a similar drive and motivation.
Look for mentors who have traveled a similar path and can offer guidance or advice. Once you have new goals and defined success, turn to industry leaders who will be helpful on your journey. Attend events where you can further network. Join organizations that offer opportunities to engage with others in this field.
Invest in New Learning Opportunities
Whether this is a new venture or skill set, or just a slight shift from where you currently are in your career, knowledge will always be a helpful tool in your toolbox. The workforce is fast-paced and ever-changing.
Explore opportunities to keep your skills updated and remain competitive in your current field or the one you want to move into. Stay on top of industry trends. Be a continuous learner.
Embrace Challenges
You're not likely to find a career field or job where you'll experience no challenges. If you find yourself outside of your comfort zone, stay open-minded and be willing to see where the journey takes you.
View challenges as opportunities for growth and embrace each one in your career. Trust that this process will make you stronger.
Don’t be Afraid to Negotiate
A working relationship has some give and take to it. You should never be the one doing all the giving. Don’t be afraid to negotiate matters, especially when you are unhappy.
It’s okay to negotiate for setting healthy boundaries, having more flexibility, and your salary. Through negotiation, you can find a middle ground of happiness between yourself and your employer.
Prioritize Work-Life Balance
It's a delicate balancing act managing time between your career and personal life. Make sure you are focusing your efforts on each side.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to have a successful career and make necessary changes along the way. Just be sure you aren’t finding career success at the expense of your personal life.
Explore non-traditional career paths if they fall within your definition of success or meet your career ambitions. There are options that offer varying flexibility while still providing an excellent career path, such as freelancing, consulting, or entrepreneurship.
Are you looking for career advice or guidance on finding success? Reach out to us for more information about therapy for professionals. We can help you define and discover what's important to you to be successful, in both your career and personal life.
