Make Your Career a Successful one

by Janet Farley from Star and Stripes Newspaper

Courage. If you’ve ever worn a military uniform, been married to servicemember, or worked side-by-side with one, you know the concept is far from unfamiliar. It takes a certain kind of courage to serve our nation in whatever capacity density has granted you. Not everyone can do it, nor should they. It’s a job reserved for a special select few.

It takes courage of another variety to make your career a successful one, whether it’s in the military or not. The bridge from one brand of valor to the other isn’t a far stretch when you consider some of the common denominators.

On those days when time seems to stand still and you’re certain it will never be 5 0’clock anywhere anytime soon, it can be helpful to remind yourself of those universal qualities, if only to be your greatest cheerleaders.

Dedication to the job. You don’t always love it, but you do your best. You give it your all even when you’d rather just watch the whole organization implode on itself and earn the irrevocable right to say “I told you so” to everyone else on any number of issues.

Flexibility. Maybe you learned it in kindergarten or maybe a kindly old drill sergeant with extremely bad breath taught it to you. In any event, laboratory blood tests would be certain to reveal a significant level of play-doh running through your Gumby-like veins. You can adjust fire on a moment’s notice and have done so to9 many times to count already.

Strength of character. To the outside world, you would appear to have the market cornered on this trait. Inwardly, you know that it just isn’t always the case. Why risk destroying that carefully crafted illusion of the ever-so-impressived masses, however? Besides, Kansas is always just a couple of toe taps away…right Toto?

Sense of humor. If being a member of the greater defense community has given you nothing else, it surely must have given you a healthy sense of humor. It’s the only true anecdote to the genuine hardships and selfless sacrifices you have called routine for however long you have belonged to its elite club.

Lifelong learning. Call it the University Of Whatever, but you are a card-carrying student of that esteemed league of learners whether enrichment is found in a classroom, a tent or on-line at 3 o’clock in the morning. When you’re not working the gray matter for a formal degree or for self-satisfaction, you are developing those marketable professional skills necessary to take your career to the next level.

Globalization. Disney had it right all along. It’s a small world, after all. And you, my friend, have experienced far more of it than your average United States citizen. Your ability to effectively mix and mingle with those who speak a foreign language and share less than common viewpoints on varying world stage issues, is a major plus for you.

Willingness to admit error. Nobody is perfect, particularly those individuals who make mistakes and fail to admit the error of their ways. You don’t fall into that camp. You may occasionally miss the mark but you aren’t afraid to own up to it and drive on. It’s what leaders do.

Leadership. Leaders also lead and you’ve had plenty of experience at doing just that. Make no mistake about it. Individuals having real leadership abilities coupled with practical experience are highly desired by companies across industries today. Throw in the added bone of being highly skilled in a specific area where jobs are in demand and you won’t have to worry about filing for unemployment anytime soon, no matter what the economists predict.

Vision. Whether you are envisioning your career path itself or the future path of jobs you have chosen to call your own for the time being, you are a visionary with the talent for planning ahead. Call it a gift or just plain common sense…either way, not everyone else has it.

There you have it. See how wonderful you are?