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Six Powerful Secrets of Career Success

By Kathy Simmons

Do you want to be more successful and fulfilled at work? You're not alone. After all, unless you work part-time, you spend most of your waking hours at work. So it just goes to reason that a positive experience on the job will enrich all aspects of your life. Career utopia is not something to leave to chance. As with most successes in life, it begins and ends with you. Try putting these powerful success secrets into practice-and prepare to be pleasantly surprised with an improved level of job satisfaction.

Follow the 80/20 Rule

It has many names-the Parado Principle, the Principle of Imbalance, and the 80/20 rule--but they all mean the same thing. Richard Kock, author of The 80/20 Principle explains, "The 80/20 principle states that there is an inbuilt imbalance between causes and results, inputs and outputs, and effort and reward." In fact, this consistent mathematical relationship indicates that 80 percent of output comes from 20 percent of inputs, not only in the business world, but also in virtually every aspect of life.

So what does this have to do with career success?

It means that certain activities, people, and thought processes are excellent investments. They are responsible for much of your potential success. Wise professionals isolate these high dividend activities and people and focus on them intently. They spend as much time as possible with the 20 percent of their associates who are particularly inspiring. They nurture the 20 percent of their most positive thought patterns and activities to spur themselves on to new heights of achievement. You can do the same thing! All activities and people are not created equal. Find those that will provide a rich payback to your professional success.

Take the Rotary Test

You've heard the saying that the 'love of money is the root of all evil.' In the business world, the love of gossip deserves the same tarnished reputation. Careers have floundered, precious time and energy has been lost, and reputations have been marred-all because someone chose to mindlessly dish the dirt at the water cooler. To avoid falling into this destructive trap, take the Rotary 4-way test.

Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor created the test in 1932 when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy. Taylor looked for a way to save the struggling company mired in depression-caused financial difficulties. He drew up a 24-word code of ethics for all employees to follow in their business and professional lives. The 4-Way Test became the guide for sales, production, advertising, and all relations with dealers and customers. The survival of the company is credited to this simple philosophy.

Herb Taylor became president of Rotary International in 1954-55. The 4-Way Test was adopted by Rotary in 1943 and has been translated into more than a hundred languages and published in thousands of ways. Here it is:

Of the things we think, say or do:

1. Is it the Truth?
2. Is it Fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Get Your Life Together

One of the most unusual (but powerful) bits of advice Marta Dresslien, career coach and founder of Cambridge Career Services, offers to clients is to get out of debt. It might not be the type of career advice you would expect to see, however don't kid yourself into thinking debt does not have a direct impact on your work life!

Dresslien explains, "The more in debt you are personally and professionally, the more you will be immobilized to advance further in your career. Being in debt imprisons you and creates a vulnerability in you and your life that stymies creative thought or risk-taking related to career transitions."

You may need to take drastic steps to address this particular problem. Yes, that could include selling your house, cutting up your credit cards, and committing once and for all to living below your means. Dresslien adds, "Stop using the power of money and what it purchases to prove you are successful. Your success should be quiet and steady achievement not flashy temporal add-ons."

Listen!

Peter deLisser, author of BeYour Own Executive Coach, advises success-minded professionals to sharpen their listening skills. Delisser shares this insight, "When asked to rate ourselves as effective listeners, most of us say "65 percent or better. The truth is, only 5 percent of us have ever taken a skilled course in listening." Indeed, most people fancy themselves to be proficient listeners when in reality they are woefully deficient.

Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery, according to Dr. Joyce Brothers. She recommends that if you want to influence someone, listen to what he says. Brothers offers this advice, "When he finishes talking, ask him about any points that you do not understand. Then tell him what it is you want and point out the areas where you are in agreement and those where you do not agree. He will be flattered that you have listened intently, that you take him seriously, and that you truly want to understand his position."

Learn to Play Politics

Bay area therapist and career consultant Julie Anderson, MFT, Ph.D., advises employees to beware of this myth, "Hard work will be positively rewarded by your manager and will eventually result in a promotion." In reality, many people do excellent work, only to be "rewarded" with increased expectations for future productivity!

Anderson advises clients to work hard and pay attention to the political landscape at work. "Every organization, large or small, public or private, has an inherent hierarchy that is made up of people at the high end who have the "power" to make things happen to people on the "low" end with no power to influence the course of events," explains Anderson.

Interestingly, people with "power" are not necessarily the people with the "titles." Within a department there is always someone who has the boss's ear. If you are not this person, you had better be on the "good" side of this person, if you hope to be recognized and promoted.

Know Your Limits

According to International Certified Business Coach and Professional Organizer, Shannon Seek, BS, CPCC, people often forget that they are human-not robots-and consequently sabotage career success by saying yes to too many activities.

Seek explains, "Ironically, so many people do 'too much' in the name of advancing their careers. It fits in with the more is better mentality prevalent in Western culture. Unfortunately, the actual results people get by spreading themselves too thin are: being scattered; looking unprofessional; burning out; getting sick; destroying reputations due to lack of follow through and accountability; and sabotaging their careers."

Seek's warns clients who have gotten "in over their heads" to diligently avoid the following behaviors:

• Saying yes to too many things
• Scheduling 100 percent of the day with out leaving any room for unexpected delays, events or tasks
• Underestimating the time tasks will take
• Forgetting to leave time to travel to appointments, shift gears, eat, and rest (Seek refers to this as the 'James Bond Syndrome')

Following these secrets will make your road to success smoother-and more enjoyable. They can save you from avoidable misery at work, and help you gain greater credibility and admiration at work. And that's a secret you'll be happy to share!