By J. Mason
Online Career Tips Editor
At some point or another you probably put “guru” or “expert” in your job description. It’s really hard to qualify a claim like this. Just because you know the basics for operating something it doesn’t ensure your status as being an expert. After years of hard work and proving yourself through analytics, networking, and job success this title gets earned from your boss or colleagues. In order to get to “Zeus” status among your peers you need to stay on top of trends and current news. Also, it’s good to be specialized in one or two areas, not several.
Multitasking works for a minority of people. When it comes to your job being the jack of all trades is nice because there’s job security, but it isn’t screaming for a promotion or a specified path of growth. Instead of being the catch-all for the group, narrow your focus down into what speaks to you and where you really shine.
Grow these specialties by performing both routine, and out of the box tasks for them every day. With time you will have created successful habits that can make you more marketable. Once you’ve established these habits don’t get complacent. You could potentially start to develop the bad habit of leaning on your current skill set instead of trying to push it to the next level. What you need to keep in mind is to go outside your work sphere and out into the marketplace. Take your skills virtually abroad.
Keep yourself alerted to things happening in your specialty “neck of the woods” through reading industry blogs, RSS feeds, and by subscribing to influencers on social media. When products and services are introduced or retired you’ll want to know about them. To really up your game you can use that insight to create innovative game plans that integrate these new developments, or find ways to phase them out if they’re potentially harmful.
Don’t get left behind. Stay on top of your game by staying in the know in your field. The best way to become an industry expert is by living and breathing it in. Try to make it a bigger part of your life than the typical 9-5 schedule.
How did you do with last week’s bad habit, over-promising? If you’re still struggling to say no then take a break from your email and walk away from your desk. Set boundaries with colleagues that habitually take advantage of you, and remember that you’re number one and you’re your first priority.
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