One of the most important aspects and factors to the American workforce is advancement. Perhaps it is indeed the greatest thing about the American economic marketplace that we actually do have the option for career advancement. The free market of the United States is set up in such a way that opportunity is there to be seized by anyone who wants it, and it is tangible for literally anyone.
When I was working for Chevrolet in the 1980s, there was no, “career ladder.” I worked in the sales department, and the way you advanced was by selling a lot of cars. I made this my mission and my goal, and in pursuing this I traveled all across the eastern United States selling Chevy cars and trucks. I won Chevrolet’s annual award for top salesman in the entire company during a couple different years, and I did it without any help from any kind of career ladder.
How to Advance with No Ladder
Build Relationships within Your Company
There’s something to be said for having good relationships with the people you work with. The person who is very social, who works hard, who meets his or her targets, and who can strike up a conversation with and be friendly and amicable with anyone and everyone from the janitor to the CEO is going to be more likely to advance than the recluse who keeps to himself or herself all day long.
Expand your Knowledge Base
You can never know too much or even enough about your company and your product and your company’s goals and ambitions. The more you know the more valuable and critical you will be to the company. Be sure to expand your knowledge even outside of your department, and try to learn everything you can about the entire organization.
Take Good Care of Yourself
Dress well. Work out. Eat well. Get a good night’s rest. Take vitamins and supplements. Don’t smoke or drink. If you don’t follow these key points, then it drops you down in the eye of your CEO. Keep these guidelines in mind daily and you will be noticed, which will make advancement easier.
Concentrate More on Quality Instead of Quantity
Really make your hours at work count, and produce to the best of your abilities while you are at work. Don’t overwork yourself and think that by working lots of extra hours you will get noticed more. You’re more likely to get burned out and perform poorly as a result of it.
Ask for Advancement
Last but not least, if you want to advance, sometimes you just have to go up to your boss and ask for it. Don’t
be afraid to do this, and it’s likely that it will work as a result of your attempt at it.
I believe it would be safe to say that advancement is more difficult now that it was in the past, simply because advancement is not guaranteed and there is more competition now. Rather than worrying so much about it though, just apply the above tips and work towards it day after day after day.
Your career and your future are yours to own. Don’t ever let yourself believe that someone else other than you is more responsible than you are for your happiness and success in life. Rather, come to terms with the fact that you are the author of your own novel of life, and you can make changes and effect positive results to the degree that you work to accomplish this goal.
Per Wickstrom is the founder and CEO of Best Drug Rehabilitation, one of the top holistic rehabilitation centers in the country. He found sobriety after a decades-long struggle with addiction and has since dedicated his life and career to helping others find the same life-affirming success he has. Visit his blog or connect with Per via Twitter or Facebook.
