So you have a career in the field of your dreams, and you are making a fairly good living- the bills are covered, the social life is on fire, the family situation is just as you like it at this time (subject to change: like life!). AND….You look as though there is no end in sight for the success you feel you deserve, after all the long hours, the training, the meetings, the late nights…etc. Guess what? That is when the real job begins, and you need to turn the notch up a couple of degrees on self expectation.

Good enough is only good enough when nothing else can be achieved. When we feel there is nothing left in our chosen profession to achieve, we get lazy and stop reaching for new goals, content in the life that we have so carefully made for ourselves. Nothing good lasts forever, unless you have a sure-fire way to back it up, because whether we wish to admit it or not, there is someone just waiting in the shadows to take the clients you let go of, or to take on the tasks that you feel are now beneath you because of a couple of lucky breaks.

One of the ways you may consider to help stay in-demand and on top is to go back to school. You’re probably older and wiser now, and you realize that everything you need to know won’t just fall in your lap. This means finding a course, or series of courses which will help you stay relevant. The work-force is changing, and you now have 2 options: Change or get left behind. I can’t speak for everyone, (I’ve tried) but no one wants to be left behind; much less passed over on future promotions because some junior employee happened to be a step ahead.

It doesn’t have to cost alot to return to school. Look around and see what courses others in your trade are considering, attend night-school, or weekend seminars on areas you either have (or wish to have) a better knowledge in. Look at the courses which are relevant to your career- Is there any stone that needs a bit of polish, as new practices replace old techniques. I don’t believe that there is any career out there which hasn’t been affected by changes in technology.

Being good is fine, but why not try and be something better? Your clients deserve you to be your absolute best, or they WILL move up the street to the service that is more in keeping with their forward thinking. After all, I’m sure most of us, if not all of us would find the time if it meant that there was a larger paycheque to be had!

Think about it and look around….There is certainly some skills you have that could use a refresher, or some skills you could add to your repertoire and become just a little more “in-demand”….

Something to Think About…

© 2011 thedanieljsmith