5 Ways to Get the Most Return Out of Your Career

It’s the end of tax season. A time of year when everyone hopes to receive a return rather than owing more. Well, the same goes for our careers, doesn’t it? We put a lot of time and energy into our careers. Would you rather get a return for that effort, or continue contributing more fruitless time and energy? Here are 5 Ways to Get the Most Return Out of Your Career. 

1. Set Goals

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. You can’t get to where you want to go without a road map. Setting goals makes us mentally invested in achieving our wants. And, if done right, you can break down the steps required to achieve each goal. Try making your goals “SMART” – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bounded – in order to best set a plan for your success.

2. Be More Involved

At the end of your MSL career and you reflect, what will make you satisfied? Plugging away and checking your boxes day-to-day, or asking for a more important role in achieving the team’s goals? Sometimes we feel so busy just trying to complete daily tasks that it seems we may drown by adding big responsibilities like becoming team lead on a new project. But with more accomplishment comes more satisfaction. You’ll have more experiences for your resume, and you’ll position yourself for the next chapter in your career.

3. Help Others

I know that experienced MSLs get reached out to all the time by aspiring MSLs who are looking for any tips they can gather on how to finally break into the role. I also know that a lot of these experienced MSLs don’t have the time to respond to every request they get. But I also know some MSLs that respond to everyone they can and offer words of advice because they remember what it was like to be an MSL hopeful just trying to score their first job. Good deeds like this don’t go unnoticed, and lending a helping hand will grow a network that could prove valuable down the road if and when you could use some help yourself.

4. Stay Healthy

Life on the road is tough and time-consuming. It makes it harder to find exercise time to and easier to excuse yourself for yet another fast food meal. But if you allow that lifestyle to rule your habits, you may owe taxes down the road in the form of doctor bills. Take time wherever you can to get your heart rate up and burn a few calories. It could pay off in dividends later.

5. Don’t Look Back

Dwelling on your past is unproductive. Whether you are caught up in the reminiscing a previous job and still being there, feeling down on yourself due to an uncontrollable career snag won’t help. Having a positive mindset, constantly looking to improve and add to your skill-set, and improve your employment situation will is far better than being wallowing in misery.