3 Areas of Your Career Development You Should Never Stop Improving

At Uvaro, we believe in the mantra of 'Never Stop Improving' in your career. This is because we believe careers are a lot like mountain trails. Once you think you’ve reached one pinnacle, you look ahead to find that there are other summits to scale, and you’re still in the middle of the journey. 

Some professionals might feel as though they’ve reached the top of their careers. They’re in the position they want, doing work that fulfills them. Then, there are employees who are still striving to make it there, actively looking for ways to grow their experience, skills, and networks so they can reach their peak.

While the latter group might have more reason to be motivated, what if we told you that both types of people can benefit from lifelong learning? The more you work at your craft, the more you’ll excel in all areas of your life, both within and out of the office.

Today, we’re sharing three areas of your career that you should never stop improving. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, keep these priorities in mind as you climb!

Knowledge

Did you know that the average human brain can hold trillions of bytes of information? According to researchers, the cerebral cortex (responsible for higher-level processing) has 125 trillion synapses alone, and each synapse can store 4.7 bits of information. This data bodes well for the mantra of 'Never Stop Improving'.

Even if you think you’ve learned everything there is to know about your industry or profession, there’s always something more to discover. It’s biologically proven.

As technology and automation continue to change the way we work, this becomes more and more true. Regardless of your niche, there’s a good chance that your job today looks quite different than it did even a few years ago.

Innovation is rapid, and it’s important to keep your skills sharp and your expertise relevant.

You can expand your career knowledge in lots of different ways…

• Reading new industry publications
• Attending training and continuing education sessions
• Working with and learning from senior staff members
• Following industry organizations on social media and staying on top of their work

At Uvaro, our skill-building workshops help you build foundational skills and keep your proficiencies fresh. Not to brag, but it’s one simple way to jumpstart your relationship with career-long learning.

Learning, at whatever stage of life you find yourself, will only benefit you.

Confidence

Some people simply exude confidence. You know them, and you’ve worked with them. In fact, you may be one of them. Poise and polish come naturally to you, and your self-esteem might buoy you through even the most challenging work situation.  Then, there are others who might have to work a little harder at this skill. And that's ok!

Adopt a positive affirmation and repeat it as needed.
I am intelligent. I am capable."

You want to believe in yourself and muster the confidence to take new risks, but potential rejection looms overhead like a storm cloud. Don’t stay apprehensive while opportunities pass by. Like 70% of Americans, you may suffer from imposter syndrome at one time or another, feeling insecure and worried about being exposed as a fraud.

No matter how you approach yourself, confidence needs to be maintained as much as it needs to be fostered. In fact, the best time to work on your confidence is when you already have a lot of it. That way, when your natural confidence falters, or you find yourself unsure in a situation — it happens to all of us — you’ll have the tools to push forward ‘til you make it.

Whether confidence comes easily to you or not, there are ways to develop this skill…

• Adopt a positive affirmation and repeat it as needed (I am intelligent and capable”)
• Focus on achieving your personal best, not perfection
• Eliminate negative self-talk (This might not be the best idea but…”)
• Spend time on your mental health and project your personal style 
• Set goals for yourself (speaking up in a meeting, connecting with a new friend at work)

No, you might not develop the self-assured swagger of Lady Gaga overnight and wear meat dresses and outrageous hairstyles to work. However, if you continue to build this skill, you’ll soon find that you’re ready to move from small goals to bigger ones. Not only does confidence make the workday more enjoyable, but it can also improve your networking skills and open new doors. Keep pushing yourself to achieve your goals and never stop improving!

Communication

Effective communication means not only knowing what to say but also how and when to say it. It requires reading the room and understanding which messages will be well-received, and which ones you need to approach more strategically. It’s as much about general knowledge of communication techniques as it is about specific knowledge about your relationship with your team.

You may choose to deliver hard news after lunch, once everyone is well-fed and in a genial mood. Or, you might alter the content of your message because of how information may affect certain people. For example, if you’re removing meat from the snack spreads at team meetings, Jerry — who is a vegan — may not be affected and the news could be delivered offhand. But for a ham-sandwich lover like Lauren, this news may mean more and may therefore need to be approached with more care.

Of course, it also means resisting the urge to make every conversation a one-sided one, regardless of how important the information you are sharing might be. As you fine-tune your listening skills, you can be more empathetic and receptive to others. This will make them more likely to open up to you. If employees feel uncomfortable approaching you with feelings of concern, as a leader, it can breed discontent throughout the workplace.

To improve your communication skills at work, focus on…

• Actively listen, instead of listening to respond
• Focus on nonverbal cues and body language
• Practice beforehand to prepare your message and eliminate distractions
• Simplify your messages into clear points
• Reflect on your strong suits and identify weak areas

On almost every job listing, you’ll find a need for excellent communication. If you can sharpen this skill, you’ll not only perform better in your current role, but you’ll also make yourself more marketable in the future. Our advanced workshops all put an underlying focus on clear and considerate communication in different contexts.

Never stop improving! When we get too comfortable, that’s when growth stops!

You don’t have to be constantly moving forward to the point of fatigue, but you should focus on what lies ahead and how you can get there. By taking the time to improve your knowledge, confidence, and communication, you can grow into your full potential, both at work and at home.

These are more than job skills. They’re life skills that you should never stop improving because they’re important foundations for a healthy, happy, and successful future! Ready to take that next step? Download our Career Success Catalog to join Uvaro and unlock your current and future power, starting today.