Are You Too Comfortable at Work?

Whether you feel worried or secure about your career, you need to always answer the question of “How am I doing?” From that vantage point, here are three “career audit” questions to ask yourself:
 
Am I too comfortable? Even if you are sure your job is secure, professionalism demands that you innovate, improve and increase your value. Have you been improving your skills, taking on new levels of responsibilities and increasing your visibility in both your company and your industry? This isn’t something you do when you are thinking about changing jobs—if you wait until then, it’s too late. It’s about challenging yourself to be your best and to do the best where you are. You owe that to yourself and your organization. However, if you stay on top of your game, and you do need to seek other opportunities, you will be ahead of the game.
 
Am I marketable? Many people, when they think of how marketable they are, think in terms of updating their resume. You need to think on another level—think about having a marketable product—that product being you. Do you have the education, the certifications, the experience, the references, the network and the self-confidence you need to market YOU, Inc.? If not, don’t panic. Now is the time to assess your marketability and see what you need to have or to do in order to be valued by your current employer or future employers.
 
Am I passionate? Recently, I’ve talked to three executives about their senior managers. Every one of the executives had a senior manager who performed beyond expectations in key areas—but they had lost their “fire.” All three senior managers did great work, but their hearts weren’t in their work. Does that describe you—and don’t pull any punches here. If so, find out what’s missing for you and how you can get your “fire” back. It might be you’re overwhelmed or underwhelmed—you have too much to do or you aren’t challenged enough in your current role. Whatever it might be, if you’ve lost your “fire,” find the cause and fix it like your career depends on it—because it does.

-Alan Allard, Career Coach