Career Development Philosophy

Total Career Mastery:

• to.tal – constituting or comprising the whole; entire;
• ca.reer – an occupation or profession, especially one requiring special training, followed as one’s lifework
• ma.ster.y – expert skill or knowledge, power of command or control

The concepts of Total Career Mastery are 10 principles that should be followed in order to maximize career success.  Here are the principles:

10 Principles of Total Career Mastery

1. Define Success:  Be sure you’re clear on what kind of success you’re chasing.  Ask yourself how you want to be remembered when you’re gone.  What do you want people to say about you?
2. Dream Big:  If you’re going to dream, you might as well dream big.  The best kinds of dreams should spur us to accomplish much more than we think we can.
3. Set Good Goals:  The only way to achieve those big dreams is to set good goals.  The best goals follow the SMART format (Specific, Measurable, Aligned, Realistic, Time-bound).
4. Let Go of Assumed Constraints:  If you listen carefully, there are plenty of people who say you CAN’T achieve that goal.  Who ever game them permission to hold you back?  They’re assumed constraints.  Get rid of them.
5. Commit to Continuous Learning:  Humans are wired to learn.  Keep your brain engaged and build up your skills package by committing to a process of continuous study.
6. Expand Your Network:  Your network is like a muscle.  It gets stronger the more you use it.  Be a great networker by reaching out to others with offers to help.  You’ll get more by giving more.
7. Get Better:  Each year, make a commitment to learning new skills and abilities.  Be sure you grow each year, not regress.
8. Create Your Own Luck:  There are no “lucky” people.  People who get the best in life make a concerted effort to go after it.  The harder you work, the more luck you’ll find.
9. Go Full Speed:  The tasks we most dread are the ones we probably benefit most from.  The harder you attack them, the less painful they become.  Go full speed and push on through.
10. Never Quit:  Most success stories we hear don’t include the numerous failures on the journey.  There will be failures.  Don’t quit though.  You might be just one small step away from success.

The Career Zones

The lifetime of an individual’s career has a definitive beginning and end state.  The key to Total Career Mastery is to do the RIGHT things at the RIGHT time.  Each career zone falls into a typical age.

• Zone 1: The Formative Years:  Typically between ages 16 – 21.  This is where an individual’s personality preferences are locked in and patterns that will follow them through life get their start.
• Zone 2 – Entering the Race:  Typically between the ages of 21 and 35.  During this period, an individual selects a career track and build their abilities through formal education and experience.  Usually the focus is orienting themselves towards their environment.
• Zone 3 – The Midlife Challenge:  Typically between 35 and 55.  During this period, individuals usually undergo significant personal and professional changes.  The workplace roles either move into leadership or individuals begin questioning early career choices and begin to rethink their career path.  Usually the focus in orienting themselves reflectively inward.
• Zone 4 – The Transitionary Phase:  typically between 55 and 65.  During this period, individuals begin planning for retirement and the activities they’ll do after their traditional work life ends.  Usually the focus is orienting themselves towards something charitable, entrepreneurial, or recreational.

The key to Total Career Mastery is plugging the 10 Steps into the Zone and applying them however necessary.  This can be aided through formal training, coaching, and sometimes counseling.  By implementing a process of constant self-reflection, individuals can proactively identify where they are and what they need to do in order to achieve success.