Next Move, Best Move

Chapter 5Addressing Where You Are, So You Are Ready for Where You Want to Go

Career Affirmation: I am capable of bridging the gap between where I am and where I would like to be.

After you are more clear on your short‐term and long‐term goals, the next step is addressing any gaps in your career. While I'm on the subject of gaps, let me clarify that I'm referring to the literal gaps in knowledge, experiences, and relationships that need to be addressed to take the next step in your career. This step is even more important if you see yourself in the “Right Role, Right Time” or “Right Role, New Skills” designations shared in Chapter 4.

One of the biggest misconceptions when building your career strategy is that you will naturally get to your desired destination with time. Time is not the only gap between where you are and where you'd like to be. Early in my career, I had the mentality of working hard and staying the course. Both of my parents had careers in which they stayed in a role for 10 years or more with the mindset of working hard and doing great work. Dad would always tell me to do the following:

1. Work hard and focus on being the best at whatever you do.
2. Excellence is always important; be excellent.
3. If they hit you first, hit back.

Knowing these principles, I've always strived for the next level, excellence, and a new level of perfection. As a seasoned professional, I can now build a career based on my strengths. I've held enough roles to identify how I would like ...