CHEAT SHEET 01

The 4 Pillars of a Fulfilling Career: Relationships, Income, Confidence, and Hours.

You have done everything you thought you were supposed to do for a fulfilling career.

You’re qualified, you have a career but are you HAPPY?

The people that are the happiest in their careers take a holistic 360 approach concentrating on these four pillars:

• strong relationships
• a competitive income
• unwavering confidence
• a healthy work-life balance

This cheat sheet will help you assess your career across each of these pillars and offer practical tips and personal insights to help you excel in your career journey.

1 – RELATIONSHIPS

Social capital theory shines a light on the power of your network. It shows us that who you know can be just as important as what you know, opening up access to information, resources and opportunities that aren’t always available through formal channels.

In simpler terms, it’s about making connections that can lead to shortcuts on your path to success.

Be intentional with your career. Get clear on:

WHO DO YOU WANT TO WORK WITH?

WHO ARE THE THOUGHT LEADERS IN YOUR INDUSTRY?

Develop mutually beneficial relationships with those industry thought leaders to unlock insider knowledge that can turbocharge your career path. Interestingly, while many women may recoil at the idea of networking— often giving us the ‘ick’—our male counterparts seem to navigate this arena with ease.

Our advice for you:

• If you’re socially anxious at these networking events, be prepared! Have conversation starters ready before you go. Arming yourself with a few open-ended questions related to the event topic can be invaluable or asking people about their experiences and insights. These types of questions can help ease you into conversations more naturally.
• Utilise LinkedIn and other online professional networks to participate in discussions that are relevant to your industry without the “ick” of the fake smiles and awks moments with strangers. (But don’t give up on in-person networking altogether. By attending more in-person events, you will gradually become de-sensitised to the areas of networking that currently make you uncomfortable).
• Focus on quality over quantity. Cultivate relationships that bring mutual benefits and align with your career goals. For example, connect with someone who has navigated a career path you admire.

Case Study – Olivia:

Olivia is a Project Manager working in London, who significantly expanded her professional network by actively participating in project management forums online and attending PMI (Project Management Institute) chapter meetings. This strategy paid off when she met a senior executive at one such meeting who later recommended her for a high-profile project lead position.

Olivia, WI

Practical Tip:

Don’t be afraid to schedule regular “networking” time in your calendar as you would any professional obligation. This ensures consistent effort in building and maintaining valuable connections.

2 – INCOME

Human capital theory tells us that investing in education and additional training boosts productivity and earnings. Knowing this can help shape your decisions about personal and professional growth to increase your income.

One of the quickest ways to achieve the salary you desire is by leveraging your relationships. For example, by having supporters advocate for you when you’re applying for a job or requesting a raise.

NEVER ASSUME YOU WILL GET A RAISE OR PROMOTION – GET INTENTIONAL.

£ DOES NOT BUY HAPPINESS BUT IT CAN ENABLE RESOURCES TO ALLOW YOU TO LIVE THE LIFE YOU WANT.

Our advice for you:

• Explore side projects or passive income investments that relate to your field. For instance, if you’re a marketing professional, consider consulting for startups on digital marketing strategies.
• Invest in professional development through certifications or advanced degrees to increase your marketability and lead to higher income opportunities.

Case Study – Isabella:

Isabella is an IT professional who pursued a certification in cybersecurity – a high-demand area. Within a year of completing her certification, she was able to negotiate a 20% salary increase and transition into a role that offered her more complex, engaging work and better long-term career prospects.

Isabella, FRA

Practical Tip:

Regularly attend workshops and seminars that not only enhance your skills but also provide networking opportunities with industry leaders and potential employers.

3 – CONFIDENCE

Self-efficacy theory explains how individuals’ belief in their ability to achieve specific performance outcomes can enhance their likelihood to succeed.

Self-confidence is key, so cultivate a strong belief in your abilities by setting and achieving realistic goals.

Surround yourself with supportive mentors and peers, whose encouragement can significantly boost your confidence and propel you towards success. Pluck up the courage to ask for your mentor for their advice about advancing your career.

DO YOUR RESEARCH AND ASK AROUND OPTIONS YOU HAVE RESEARCHED.

ASKING FOR ADVICE IS A GREAT WAY TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS.

A SECOND PERSPECTIVE IS ALWAYS USEFUL.

Our advice for you:

• Set Small, Achievable Goals: Break larger tasks into smaller, manageable goals. Completing these successfully will build your confidence gradually and help you tackle bigger challenges with assurance.
• Practice Public Speaking: Join a group like Toastmasters or engage in workshops that encourage public speaking. Regular practice in a supportive environment can significantly enhance your confidence in your communication skills.
• Seek Constructive Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback from trusted mentors or colleagues. Use this input to improve and reinforce your understanding that growth and learning are part of the confidence-building process.

Case Study – Ava:

Ava is a software developer who struggled with public speaking which affected her confidence during presentations. After joining Toastmasters, she improved her speaking skills and her self-confidence. Her improvement was noticed by her team in her enhanced ability to lead meetings and present ideas to stakeholders.

Ava, DE

Practical Tip:

Set up a monthly review with a mentor to discuss achievements and areas for improvement. This regular reflection can build confidence through continuous personal development.

4 – HOURS

Circadian rhythm theories suggest that aligning work tasks with one’s natural energy fluctuations can optimise performance and satisfaction.

The days of 9-5 in the office are gone. If your company doesn’t offer hybrid working, consider discussing flexible work options with your them use your relationships to explore internal transfers to departments or external opportunities that might offer more flexibility.

THE AVERAGE PERSON SPENDS A THIRD OF THEIR LIFE AT WORK.

DO NOT DREAD WORK, FIND WAYS TO BUILD IT INTO YOUR RICH AND VARIED LIFE.

Our advice for you:

• Keep a log for a week to identify when you are most and least productive. Use this data to adjust your work schedule accordingly.
• Align demanding tasks with your peak productivity periods and save routine tasks for your off-peak times.

Case Study – LJ:

LJ is an analyst who found she was most alert and effective in the early mornings. She rearranged her schedule to tackle complex data analysis tasks by starting her day at 7 AM and leaving administrative tasks for the afternoon, which improved both her productivity and job satisfaction.

Laura-Jane, UK

Practical Tip:

Experiment with different work rhythms for a month to identify the most effective schedule. Consider discussing these findings with your supervisor to potentially adjust your work hours, enhancing both your productivity and job satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

This week take action on these theoretical frameworks, practical advice and real-life examples by actively integrating them into your career development plan. (Don’t know what this is? DM us with your email address and the words CAREER DEV PLAN and we will send you a kick arse template!)

This approach will empower you to navigate the complexities of the corporate world more effectively and pave the way for a truly fulfilling and balanced career!

Author – Laura Marsh.

Laura is a W-Collective co-founder & our Marketing Director.

With a kick ass career lasting nearly a decade in corporate marketing, Laura’s journey took a pivotal turn when redundancy unlocked the fiery entrepreneur within her. Seizing the opportunity with both hands, Laura, alongside her partner, pioneered the slashie lifestyle making money here and there and everywhere using her skills and experience gained in corporate. 

Alongside raising two wonderful children, she co-founded Goodwin Tennis, transforming it from a side hustle into a thriving holistic lifestyle business. Under her strategic marketing expertise, Goodwin Tennis saw a tenfold increase in revenue, earning Laura recognition as a finalist in numerous business awards and touching the lives of thousands with its positive impact.