Tips to create a firm career foundation
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
Learn to work smart, not hard. Net photo.

Everyone is gifted differently. Some people flourish more in different fields like nursing, engineering, accounting while others are good at writing, filmmaking, management, marketing and so forth. 

However, some people offer their jobs extra efforts for better results, as that way, they elevate in skills and learn more. Even when they don’t know something, they don’t shun away from asking, because greater workers are good at acquiring knowledge. 

Partaking in a career one loves offers them that ability to offer beyond what is required. The question is, how can you excel in your career?

Adrian Innocent, an interior designer and architect by profession, states that it’s very easy to imagine the kind of profession you want in future, but when you don’t take any step to be better, then you will remain stagnant. 

He states that many people get lost in boredom and nagging bosses that they lose out on their dreams. For him, he urges finding meaning in what you do. Set goals and note down what and how you will be able to achieve them. This, he says, will not only benefit your work but you as well.

"If you don’t have what you work towards, chances are, you will lose interest in what you’re doing. Be the one that wakes up every morning with new ideas, but not the one who complains about your work each time, because negativity can easily drain you and shutter the dream you’re hoping to chase,” he says.

He explains that you ought to be smart as overworking isn’t what guarantees that you’re a great employee. "It’s imperative to have a work-life balance to be able to pursue the things you want. If it’s all about work and work, you will miss out on taking vacations, spending time with friends and family and so much more which are essential to relax and have a happy life.”

Innocent also encourages to never underestimate the power of networking because many people have acquired jobs by a mere connection.

For him, you never know where your next job or opportunities will be, which is why it’s important to allow yourself to meet new business people often, either on LinkedIn, or business meetings and seminars. 

He also stresses to write down your strengths and work towards polishing them with the help of your colleagues and bosses. With time, this will result in professional growth, either in communication, decision-making and so forth. 

According to Judith Uwimana, an IT expert in Kigali, having a side business or job is also beneficial to an employee as it pulls them away from their comfort zone and allows them to learn new skills and operate new projects. 

She believes that if you can manage your time well and juggle your tasks equally, with creativity, without exerting much pressure, it’s a step to growth.

Uwimana explains that one has to allow themselves to keep learning something new, with the internet; there are many business experts to emulate, either on YouTube, business websites, and books or take on a new course. 

She has no doubt that continuous learning allows you to be creative and innovative.

"Career success would require having a career coach as they assist you to discover your potential, expound your knowledge, and offer you feedback on where to improve and where you performed better or best, which in the long run, leads to personal development and growth,” the IT expert states.