When establishing yourself, there are a lot of different factors that you need to keep in mind. So much so, that establishing yourself can be a seriously daunting task. There’s a lot of things to learn and remember to make sure you’re doing it properly. This also requires a lot of self-reflection which is something that many of us struggle with. 

At Achieve, this is why we believe in taking baby steps as a far more sure way to meet our goals. Finishing a task no matter how small will give you the momentum you need to tackle larger projects. Or, break a large project into small portions to make it more manageable and avoid becoming overwhelmed. Success happens with small consistent steps. It ensures that we don’t forget anything, but also helps us to complete all of our tasks and goals as thoroughly as possible. 

Getting Started

Over the course of the next three blog posts we will be breaking down and highlighting some of the key points that you need to remember while working to establish yourself professionally. Obviously these is a lot that goes into a successful career, but at least by starting here, you will find yourself on the right track to meeting all of your goals.

Working in conjunction with Dawna L, who has over 30 years of experience in working as a manager, she has a lot of good advice for those who are looking to establish themselves. Over the next few articles, we will be going over things such as: 

1. Soft and hard skills, and accepting feedback from others, 
2. Building your credibility and branding,
3. Networking,

And overall just taking responsibility for your development and your career. No one knows you better than you do, and no one can ensure that you reach your definition of success like you can. This is about taking the reigns on how you establish your own career and being in charge of your own success.

So, let’s break down the steps you need to take to establish yourself professionally. 

1. Building Your Network

Constantly create networks and build relationships with colleagues, clients and customers. These networks will be invaluable to you. 

Seek out people that you can trust and sincerely value their advice, as well as who listen to your ideas and know how to maneuver within your business sphere. When speaking with them, maintain an open mind, enthusiasm and a positive attitude when they provide critical feedback or information. Remember, this cannot be one-sided. You will also want to provide them with support, information, services, etc.

We covered networking in a previous blog post, linked here. The 4 things to keep in mind while networking are: you aren’t an island, know your goal, schedule to keep in touch, and keep notes. 

Networking takes practice, most of your professional career will include networking, and it will get easier the more you do it!

2. Take Responsibility

Take responsibility for your development and your career. You will need to take control, as no one will care as much about becoming a professional in your field as you do.

Also, take responsibility for your decisions and your work. If something doesn’t go as planned, accept responsibility. Not every decision will go as planned. Taking calculated risks and trying new/innovative approaches will show that you are interested and engaged in helping your organization succeed. That is resiliency, so be ready for setbacks.

You may need help in this process, though. It can be hard to pinpoint precisely how you’re feeling or how to move forward on your own. Being able to talk things through with someone who is not directly associated with you professionally and getting an outside perspective on your issues will help bring clarity where you may feel there is none. We can’t solve everything by ourselves, and we are not islands. 

3. In Conclusion

Over the last three weeks, we have covered how to establish yourself as a professional. In the modern workplace, it is imperative that you are able to stand strong and understand who you are and how you contribute to the community that you have chosen to serve. 

Keep in mind that all of this takes time. You will not be able to complete all of the steps listed across these blog posts in one night. Fully establishing yourself can take years to do, and your path will go through many turns and changes as you continue forward. 

The most important thing to remember is: 

Believe in yourself. Even when others may not. You’ve got this! 

“Networking is an investment in your business. It takes time and when done correctly can yield great results for years to come.”

Diane Helbig