By Olujimi Tewe.Credit: successinhr.com
I do hope you started today with a smile and not a frown. If you are doing what you love or are doing something about getting into work you love, you would probably have started the week with a smile. If your case is otherwise or you just simply desire much more out of life, I’d like to point you to this 5P model for achieving true career success.
#1 PURPOSE: Notice I said true career success with emphasis on the word “true”. Imagine yourself winning a 100m race at the Olympics, only to be told during the award ceremony that you were actually enlisted for the 200m category and therefore disqualified. Such devastation! What a waste of time, effort, money, not to mention the sacrifices made, all down the drain. Just because you didn’t take out time to verify the race in which you were enlisted.
Sounds highly improbable, right? The truth is millions of people unwittingly make this very same mistake, albeit in the race or journey of life. Some get to discover this error at different phases of the race while many unfortunately get to the finish line before realising that they’ve been in the wrong race all along.
For those who feel they’re on the wrong track, fret not. There’s still hope.
I am aware people shy away from referring to God when talking about what they want to do in life, but the reality is that we are products of a creator and not objects borne out of evolution. An insightful man once said,” When purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable.” Who better to ask for the purpose of a product other than the manufacturer? Yes, this implies that you were created and put on this earth for a purpose, and in case you can’t clearly state what your purpose is, all you need do is ask. It sounds so easy, that’s because it actually is. Ask and expect to receive an answer. It most likely won’t come as a thundering voice from heaven but rather as an inclination of your heart towards certain things. That, I say, is the starting point!
#2 PLAN: You must first achieve your goals within before without. If it can’t work on paper, it most likely won’t work in life. Planning helps you clearly articulate your goals and desires. It is a road map from where you currently are to your desired destination.
Goal setting, which is done in the process of planning, should be within a specified time frame if it would ever be accomplished.
Planning is not a one-time event, but a continuous process which can be modified as you progress along your career path.
#3 PREPARE: Before there is output, there must be input. In the school of success, preparation always precedes performance. Preparation involves listing out the requirements needed to advance in your career or the necessary skill set required to get into one and the corresponding action to meet the requirement or acquire the skill.
It may require you reading a book, going for training, relating with certain people, working extra hours, staying up late at night etc. whatever it takes, you must be willing to pay the price. Success is never accidental; no one ever stumbles on it.
#4 PURSUE: Now you are set to go…so GO! Like the sportswear company says, “Just do it”. Success or failure never occurs without pursuit. Remember that in falling, you fall forward. Meaning, you’re a step ahead of where you previously were. If you’re waiting for perfect conditions before taking that step, you’ll never get it. The opportunity of a lifetime can only be seized within the lifetime of that opportunity. So, let no fear limit you or hold you back, get off your behind and move forward.
#5 PERFORM: Performance is not an event. It is a continuous process. It requires your persistence, review and improvement, overcoming of challenges, celebration of victories etc. There will definitely be challenges and trials but consider them hurdles that need to be scaled before you get to the finish line.
Have you ever seen an athlete stop in the middle of a hurdle race because he feels there are too many hurdles? Yet, many people quit before getting to their desired destination simply because they feel they can’t keep going. Stop telling yourself you can’t, neither allow people tell you that you can’t. Take a cue from the bumblebee, which according to previous scientific calculations should be incapable of flight, yet disregards what others say and flies anyway.
About the AuthorOlujimi Tewe is a multi-gifted Career Coach, Author, Speaker, Radio show host, Business owner and Pastor. He is the host of CareerShift, a career transformation programme designed for professionals which has held in different countries including the USA, UK and others. He is also the CEO of Inspiro Consulting, a Career and Human Resource Solution provider. Jimi previously worked with several global firms including Accenture and two of Nigeria’s biggest banks where he headed the recruitment function for both banks. Jimi finds fulfilment in providing pragmatic life and career solutions to individuals and organisations which enable them become the best they were meant to be. He is married to his lovely wife Titilola and they are blessed with two children, Ayomikun and Timisayo.
