3 Career-Boosting Habits of Successful People

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One question I hear often from clients is, “What should I be doing to grow in my career even if I’m not up for a promotion or actively job searching?”

It’s a great question, because it’s a reminder that we all have the choice to grow, no matter where we are in our professional journey. And, when you’re not actively seeking a job change, you may have more time and energy for good habits that will benefit you throughout your career.

The funny thing is, the more you keep up with these career-boosting habits, the more you increase your chances of getting promoted or recruited for a new opportunity – even if that wasn’t your original intent. 

Here are three essential habits to incorporate into your routine:

1. Connect with others. Build and nurture authentic relationships at work, not just with your manager but also with colleagues.
   
   This may not be easy in a remote workplace, so you may need to make more of an effort to connect offline, or grab lunch or coffee with people when you are in the same place.
   
   “Don't be afraid to reach out to a stranger at your company with a job that you think sounds awesome and want to learn more about it,” says Rachana Garg, who has found growth and fulfillment at Pfizer for 20 years. “Put time on their calendar. I think it’s important to have the courage to do that type of thing, and just learn about what they do every day. Leaders are people and it’s human nature to want to help others.”
   

2. Be visible. Don’t assume your work speaks for itself. Does your boss’ boss know who you are and what you do? They should, because they’re probably in charge of your next promotion. What about your friends? Do they know what you do for work? They should, so they can think of you when opportunities arise.

   
   It might not come naturally for you to talk about yourself, but successful people know how to communicate their value. Think about opportunities to authentically share your wins at work, or communicate what you’re working on with others.
   
   I’m a huge fan of LinkedIn as a tool to build your visibility both inside and outside of your company. You can get started by adding supportive comments on colleagues’ posts, posting relevant articles with thoughtful commentary, and/or sharing insights from events you attend.
   

3. Hone your craft. Use the time in between promotions and your next job to build your skills. Like Steve Martin famously said, “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” 
   
   Start by identifying what part(s) of your work you like best and do more of it. Stumped? Try the Good Time Journal activity from Designing Your Life:

   • Record all of your activities for a few days and reflect where you feel engaged and energized. (Download a free activity log template).

   • Reflect on what you observed: What felt energizing? What felt draining?
     
     Once you identify the parts of your work that feel the most engaging and energizing, figure out ways to do more of it. Take on stretch assignments, freelance projects, or volunteer work that align.

By nurturing your professional relationships, visibility and skills, you’ll continue to grow while also positioning yourself for unexpected opportunities to find you.