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Why do you work? Are you successful at your work?
The answer to the first question is obvious, right? You work because you need to pay your bills and buy the many goodies life has to offer.
When you add the second question, however, the answer is more difficult to grasp and can reveal much about the wisdom of your ongoing career plans -- or more importantly, the lack thereof.
Where Do You Want to Go?
If you're concerned about career success, then it's imperative you clearly understand why you work. If not, how can you possibly know which steps will help you succeed? As Robert Campbell once said, "If you don't know where you're going, you'll probably end up somewhere else."
If you do end up elsewhere in life -- a place you didn't intend to be -- will you consider yourself successful? Not likely.
Define Success
How can you increase your chances of ending up in the winner's circle when you retire? Know why you work and how to achieve your work goals, and periodically evaluate how well you're doing in order to adapt your career plans as necessary.
So why do you work? Here, in no particular order, are the top 10 reasons clients have given me over the years as to why they work:
- To earn a living.
- To make a fortune.
- To self-actualize or develop their knowledge and skills to the maximum.
- To set and achieve goals.
- To become famous.
- To help others.
- To pursue personal interests.
- To travel and see the world.
- To mark a place in history.
- To earn a place in Heaven.
If you're like most people, you may identify with several items on this list. On the other hand, your own list may include 10 reasons not mentioned. Either way, the means of accomplishing your work goals varies from one objective to another. If your goal is to achieve a personal fortune, then the road you should follow is probably quite different than if your objective is to earn a place in Heaven.
Determine How to Reach It
No one reason listed above is better or worse than the others. But once you've identified your reasons for working, do you have a good road map in mind for reaching those goals? Have you examined the methods others have used to achieve success and applied their wisdom to your own career plan? Finally, have you established benchmark criteria that will indicate when you have reached career success?
These are questions only you can answer. Take the time to understand your career goals and find the most appropriate means to measure your success, and you'll already be on your way.