Many people want to advance professionally, but some people feel stagnant in their positions despite a desire to evolve. While it may sound simple, making a roadmap for your career can be the key to advancing and finding success in your chosen field. Follow these four steps to start moving forward.

  1. What does success look like to you?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question, as everyone has a different definition of what success may look like. The most important thing is that you’re able to recognize what it looks like to you. Ask yourself: What’s important to me? What do I want my career to look like in the future?

Thinking long term will help you not only define what success means to you, but also help you determine the most efficient way to plan for it. The next step is to create a written roadmap of the next 10 years. While looking at the next five, fill in what your ideal professional title and position will be for each year.

  2. Establish Goals

Every goal you set will give you something to focus on and work towards, while also keeping you accountable on your path towards achieving them. Use your career roadmap as a guide for determining your long term goals. For each year, consider what steps you should take in order to achieve success in your career. What should you learn? Who in your network can be helpful?

  3. Seek Feedback

The most valuable advice you can get in your career is feedback from your boss or supervisor. Schedule a meeting or a coffee break where you can discuss how you’re doing and where you can improve. Additionally, it’s just as important to talk to your coworkers to understand their perspective and input. A different point of view is integral for you to holistically improve throughout every facet of your profession.

  4. Be Honest

When meeting with your manager, be upfront and honest about what you hope to achieve in your career and what possibilities may exist within the company. In doing so, you are placing yourself on their radar and letting them know how passionate you are about learning and growing. More likely than not they will help you by offering advice and guidance on how to achieve your goals.

Follow these four steps and watch your career transform. Remember, when advancing your career, it’s important to be willing to put in the work and to believe in yourself. With this in mind, there are no limits to what you can achieve!

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