Take care of the garden!

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow. Audrey Hepburn

I know this might sound funny, but your career is like a garden. When you take care of the garden it will produce beauty and inspiration. There is only so much responsibility you can give to others to take care of the garden. Some elements only you can take care of. In the book 100-year life, Linda Gratton and Andrew Scott share 2 important things concerning our careers.

  1. Reputation is a key commodity these days. Information to people and potential recruits are easily accessible. Take care to do your best where you are now. If you cultivate your career garden in your current season, it will reap rewards and rest in future seasons.
  2. Healthy networks. Your current relationships will help you build your career in the future. If those relationships are healthy it will benefit you. If they are not it can possibly block opportunities.

Here are a few things that will help you take care of your career garden.

  1. Deep Work. Shallow work does not help us cultivate or grow our skills. It is deep work that helps us grow and develop our skills. Deep work includes having energy, time and the ability to focus without distractions, to complete important work. Without deep work we are only swimming aimlessly with no sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.
  2. 20-mile march. You have probably heard the saying “How do you eat an Elephant? One bite at a time”. In a world of instant gratification, we tend to shun the need for discipline and patience. We want that promotion now. We want that recognition now. It is all good and healthy to have ambition. But ambition without patience is self-destructive. Do the work you currently do well and with consistency. Many people like to call themselves professionals. True professionals can produce quality work consistently while inspiring their customer.
  3. Absence seems to be the order of the day. We are in meetings, but absent. We are with our families, but absent. What stops us from being present. Mostly it is our minds twirling and our lack of intentionality. I love this quote from Matt Boswell “Presence allows us to remain with others and reminds us of the sacredness of every person and moment.” When we are present in our career garden, we do not neglect the obvious and we learn from each situation and season.
  4. When you focus to help others in their career, you also get insights into growing your own career.

As a professional, it is always good to take full and final responsibility for your career garden. Learn to be fully present in your career garden. We wish you all the best as you take care of your career garden.

Order your copy of Creative Life Planning today and start exploring your next career move. Contact our office at office@xpand-sa.com for more information on career coaching.