Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Top IT Career Dos and Don'ts(2)

The second and third IT Dos and Don'ts as presented by me is Highlighted below, do take your time to not only read them but understand them for your career success.

Don't lose Focus
What is your WHY? Empowerment for what? Are you just following the crowd? Be wise. What is your passion? What do you value? Have a laser-like focus on WHY. "A dream without a plan is a nightmare".

Planning helps you with (WHY and HOW) focusing and organizing yourself. You know your stuff but are heading in the right direction? Where are you? What is your interest? What is your purpose? Where are you going? How will you get there? Understand the difference between the journey and the destination. How realistic are your expectations? Fulfillment is a function of expectations.

It is your duty to find your mission. As you invest in knowledge and skills, are you developing with purpose? In which area (s) do you want to make an impact? Get your priorities right. Focus on things that matter. Avoid distractions and let the main issue be the main issue.


Do develop your Creative skills

Focus on creativity and not consumption. Life, or opportunity, isn't usually a one-way street. Having the right skills and knowledge are great, but creativity needs more than just expertise. IT attracts everyone, but are they all making a difference? To stand out and stay ahead in IT, you need to go beneath the surface.
Observe your environment, seize the initiative and take bold steps. Learn to see beyond the obvious.

Get deep and drop the status quo approach. Creativity is not about the usual routine or copycat stuff. "Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail" - Ralph Waldo Emerson. What, where is the need? Think outside the box and see how your skills can provide an answer to the need.

Creativity also means being wise to opportunities available to you. Have an open mind. No two career strategies are the same. No straitjacket formula exists for career success. "Use open doors to unlock closed doors." For example, if the door to your career choice in database management appears closed, why not start by exploring open doors in technical support or networking. Such experience may eventually help you unlock doors to such career paths that may be otherwise inaccessible.

Keep a date with me on other Dos and Don'ts.


Olufemi

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