“Drink before you’re thirsty.”
I was 10 years old at sleep-away camp—and would roll my eyes every time the counselors reminded me to drink more water.
(Speaking of eye-rolling, they must teach it earlier these days. My daughter turned 7 this month and treated me to her first eye roll yesterday. #ParentingMilestone)
But back to camp—I didn’t listen to my counselors. And that’s how I found myself with splitting headaches, feeling miserable and homesick. Thank you, dehydration!
My counselors weren’t nagging us for fun. They knew staying hydrated could prevent a lot of discomfort.
I shouldn’t have waited until my headache hit to drink more water.
This story reminds me of a valuable career lesson:
Don’t wait for the crisis to hit before you take action. (And seriously, drink more water.)
The Problem
Most people wait until they’re overwhelmed, stuck, or in trouble to make a career move.
When you do this, 2 things happen:
a) Instead of advancing, you’re constantly playing catch-up
b) Which means you’re reacting to problems, not preventing them
I don’t want that for you.
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The Big Small Thing
Don’t wait for the tough moments to hit before taking action in your career. Be proactive!
Here are 3 ways to take charge right now:
1. Commit to meeting with 3 new people this quarter. Building relationships within and outside your organization can open doors you didn’t know existed.
2. Schedule a career check-in with your boss every 3 months (even if you have no major updates). Use this time to discuss your progress, set goals, and ask for feedback.
3. Put a placeholder on your calendar to update your resume every 6 months. Updating your resume makes sure you’re always ready for new opportunities—like an internal promotion or new job offer. Plus, it’s a great way to remind yourself how awesome you are.
How This Helps You Chase What You Want
Taking these steps now means you won’t be scrambling when a great opportunity comes your way.
Pro tip: You always want to leave your current role on a high. You want to be running toward something, not away from something.
When you follow these 3 steps, you’ll be ready, confident, and ahead of the game.
Don’t wait until you’re desperate to take action. Drink before you’re thirsty. Start today.
