No matter what field you decide to enter, achieving success in your career is no easy task. It takes more than putting in the hours to get there. It takes plenty of conscious self-development so that you can refine your skills.

Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about building your career.

1. SET A TIMELINE

The less time you have, the more efficiently you’re forced to use it.

Without mapping out a timeline for the career development you want, you won’t have a way to hold yourself accountable. Don’t make the mistake, though, of setting deadlines that aren’t attainable.

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Instead, use time periods like three months, six months, etc. This will give you plenty of breathing room.

2. HAVE ATTAINABLE GOALS

When setting goals, you need to make sure that they’re attainable. It’s not realistic to want to double your annual income within a six-month period.

Your goals also don’t have to involve a hard index of your progress. They could be more abstract, like wanting to work with certain software more efficiently.

The goals you set will be highly variable depending on your industry. But, as long as they’re realistic, they’re worth striving for.

3. STAY FOCUSED ON YOUR CAREER PATH

As you grow as a professional in your industry, you may find that you begin to have an interest in areas outside your proficiency. For example, an art director may start to develop an affinity for account management.

While some fields may allow you to make a lateral shift into another role, most industries require you to take a step back if you want to head down another path.

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So, even though other options may be tempting, stay focused on the path you’ve already set down.

4. EDUCATE YOURSELF

Education is one of the most valuable attributes that you can have. Learning also comes in many forms, as well.

While a college degree is always an option, taking specialized courses also carries a significant benefit. For example, IT courses provide knowledge that can be applied to a large array of industries.

The more you educate yourself, the higher your potential success in your role (or a role above yours).

5. CAPITALIZE ON YOUR STRENGTHS

If you’re not artistically-inclined, don’t stress about mastering skills in this category. Similarly, someone who innately understands numbers should focus on refining these skills as much as possible.

This isn’t to say you shouldn’t improve your weaknesses, though. Being a well-rounded professional will open many doors down the road.

BUILDING YOUR CAREER CAN SEEM DIFFICULT

But it doesn’t have to be.

With the above information about building your career in mind, you’ll be well on your way to refining your skills to levels you never thought possible.

Want to learn more about how to succeed as a professional? Be sure to check out the rest of our blog.