APSi Magazine February 2014 | Page 6

Enhance your skills by

Continuing your education

Workforce competition is getting fierce as the economy switfly changes. Professionals who see no value in continued education are amongst the highest unemployed group in the country. Develop your purpose and have a educational plan to support your success.

Understading your purpose

Creating pathways to personal and professional prosperity comes from understanding your true purpose in life. Some scholars try to separate the personal and professional life work dynamic, but it is truly essential to have balance. Knowing your purpose will allow you to focus on areas that need attention. Knowing your purpose is the lifeline of growth and happiness for you and your family.

Setting purpose driven goals

Less than 20% of the population set true goals. Of those who do set goals, 80% of them fail. Those failures can be attributed toward lack of purpose. Setting purpose driven goals are fun, less like work and gratifying once you obtain them. Goals set outside of your purpose seem more overwhelming and typically lead to failure from a true lack of interest when the times get tough. Find your purpose, set your goals and watch your life change.

Developing a action plan

For every action there is a reaction. Professionals often devise great plans on how they will reach their goals, but fail because they didn't have a action plan. Thoughts and ideas are great to get you started. Writing them down in a strategic action plan, gets you moving in a direction of success. Goals with no action plans are just dreams. Dreams with a purpose and plan can become reality.

Enhancing your skills is one of the purist ways to defining your career path. You must take a long hard look at your current employment, your existing skills and capabilities to ensure that you can complete the tasks ahead. It will be overwhelming at times, but when you chart your path according to your skills and abilities, the job market becomes clearer and you develop a sense of understanding of what is needed to become successful. Recognizing the importance of increasing your competitiveness in this global market is the first step to achieving any professional goals and its your responsibility to stay competitive once you've found your way.

Find a mentor, coach or accountability partner who can help you develop your skills. Pursue professionals who will have no problem sharing productive criticism, as well as push you when you need to get moving. Don't loose site of the bigger picture, but focus on obtaining each small tasks along the way. Baby steps become larger ones after you grow within your desires and dreams.

-Little Black Book for Employment

6 APSi Magazine / Feb, 2014