Sharpen Your Skillset: Now is the Time
As you continue along your professional journey, it is vital to grow and sharpen your skill set. Rather than waiting to get the skills you need in the future or when your role or task might require it, now is the best time to get the necessary skills and hone them. Being proactive in your skill development is essential for career progression and growth. Here are some essential tips to help sharpen your skill set in your current job.
Self-Growth and Development
Whether you’re starting a new job, aiming for a promotion, or looking for ways to stay current in your field, self-growth and development are crucial. When thinking about how to achieve this, there are various approaches to do this, depending on your objective. One option is to have a GOAL, which stands for:
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Gain knowledge
Organize data
Accumulate success
Launch and lead
By taking the time to plan each step of the GOAL approach, you can continue to learn and develop your skills. Write down the areas you want to focus on and what success will look like. Then, break down each step you need to take to achieve it.
For example, if your ambition is to become a project manager, set up a timeline and specific skills you need to learn and master, such as project management tools, principles, and tasks. Track your progress with project management software like Trello, Asana, or Wrike.
Gain Knowledge
When it comes to self-development, knowledge is key. Whether you look for formal education or seek independent e-learning approaches, determine the routes you want to pursue. Is it a certification you’re looking for or an in-depth and thorough understanding of a new technology or language?
Apps like Udemy, Curse, and Khan Academy can guide you through the process. The good news is that most universities, companies, or organizations offer free or discounted courses, or tuition reimbursement to full-time employees. Consider the different advantages and disadvantages of online courses, in-person, or a combination of the two.
Organize Data
Organizing data plays an important role in sharpening your skill set. From desk clutter to large data sets, organizing data is a critical step for expanding your capabilities. One way to approach this is to adopt a mindset of “data organization.”First, identify and sort the data you’re attempting to organize into logical categories. This will make it easier to find information and quickly understand the significance of data without having to dig through all the records. Next, choose the appropriate application for organizing the data.
Tools like Microsoft Excel and Filemaker are great for record-keeping, on-the-go business management, and pulling key information from the data. Additionally, leverage charts, graphs, tables, and other visuals to present the data in a clear and organized manner. Finally, ensure that the data you’re putting into the system is accurate. With the right combination of organization and accuracy, you can easily manage large amounts of data.
Accumulate Success
On the path to sharpening your skill set, success will come with practice and by taking risks and pushing your boundaries. Jot down the big successes and small moments of progress. Don’t wait until everything is perfect and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Remember, mistakes lead to learning and with each mistake, you’re able to gain a better understanding of the task.
Of equal importance for success is setting goals and creating meaningful systems for accountability. Having a system to track where you are in each step of the process will motivate you to stay on track and accountable to the progress you’ve made.
Launch and Lead
Once you’ve identified the skills you need and organized the data, now it’s time to launch and lead. This means executing the plan that you’ve set for yourself and having the confidence to push through to getting the results that you desire. Being a leader means you have the knowledge, the ability, and the confidence to effectively lead others.
Furthermore, it’s important to have a willingness to learn and be open to new ideas and experiences. Improving existing skills and acquiring new skills greatly helps achieve professional success. A study by Deloitte notes that 80 percent of respondents reported leaders had to make a significant effort to stay ahead of the learning curve and stay ahead of the technical advancements in the field.
Grow and Succeed
Continuing to grow and develop yourself is a crucial factor in advancing your career. The process isn’t easy, but when done with determination and practice, you’ll soon notice the progress and development you’ve made. Being proactive in your skill set is essential, so remember to keep aiming high, strive for success, and develop your skills as much as you can.
Not only can sharpening your skillset soon help you reach a promotion, land a dream job, or open a new path in your career, but embracing a growth mindset is incredibly rewarding in itself. With the steps mentioned, you will find yourself having the skills and tools to step out of the norm and achieve greatness. Invest in yourself and start sharpening your skill set, because now is the time!
