Miami, FL –
In the pursuit of professional success, young people must define a personal development purpose that includes not only formal education, but the cultivation of personality, the acquisition of social skills and, in general, training for successful performance within the organization or organizations where they are going to carry out their activity.
It is easier to imagine professional success than to define it. It is a subjective concept that varies according to the values, interests and goals of each person. For some it may be that he is recognized as a prominent representative of their guild, having received diplomas, honorary awards or public recognitions. For most, professional success is finding an interesting occupation or job, that stimulates you to get up eagerly every morning and that has a reasonable remuneration.
In terms of education, university studies are today more important than ever and it is even better to have relevant postgraduate studies and certifications. Although in many countries (especially in the United States) higher education is expensive, there are options that allow you to reach satisfactory levels of advanced knowledge. Offers such as Coursera, a system that brings together many universities around the world to offer courses on the Internet on all areas of knowledge (usually free if the diploma is not needed, and in any case, very cheap).
The current slogan is permanent education: personal training must last a lifetime. Refresher seminars, short courses and specialized workshops are indispensable and are available, especially online, in all areas of knowledge to keep us up to date in all fields. Of course, there is also the resource of millions of books, whose cost is minuscule compared to the potential of knowledge they offer.
To stand out, the current professional must acquire additional skills such as ability to work in a team, leadership, time management and the ability to relate. Effective communication is an exceptionally useful skill in professional life. It is essential to dedicate an effort to developing skills in the handling of the language, oral and written, keys to clear, assertive and persuasive communication. People who can speak look smarter than those who do not handle their communication fluently. The ability to write well is only learned in one way: writing. The trick is to try to write something every day (notes, observations, a diary, a simple article). This is how the ability to write fluently is developed.
The other fundamental attribute of the successful professional is his personality, which includes psychological aspects that characterize each individual and include their patterns of behavior, their way of relating to others and their reactions to the various manifestations of the environment that together give coherence to their existential reality. Someone’s personality is described, for example, as an outgoing, punctual, kind, temperamental person, etc. The successful professional must be proactive, responsible, restrained and prudent, among other things.
An aspect related to personality is emotional intelligence: This human trait, studied and disseminated worldwide by psychologist and journalist Daniel Goleman, is that set of attitudes and positions that are required to manage our emotions and relationships in the social and work environment. In essence, it includes the ability to understand, put into practice and manage one’s own emotions and those of others.
An indispensable strength is the ability to face failures and overcome obstacles in a positive way. It’s what’s called resilience. Although it is only acquired with experience, reading real-life examples is usually stimulating.
We can’t stop emphasizing ethics. It is absolutely essential to maintain solid principles that guide our action and are at the bottom of decision-making. At the center of our paradigms is the dignity of the human person and the fundamental values of honesty, justice, equity and loyalty. Living these values in practice provides us with the necessary emotional balance and spiritual peace.
On the other hand, successful incorporation into a company or organization requires certain visible behaviors. These are mainly demonstrating commitment and responsibility, providing added value and building relationships at work. This requires striking to produce quality results, complying with the rules of the organization, showing a spirit of collaboration and seeking the support of experienced colleagues within the staff.
Good relationships allow you to gain the support of experienced colleagues and cultivate professional contacts that can provide the help of potential mentors and advisors. Strategies to create and maintain these professional relationships include participation in events outside the organization, such as trade union conferences, where contacts are made. It is also very useful to access professional social networks such as those of trade union organizations (associations of lawyers, engineers, teachers, etc.).
Other important aspects on the road to success include maintaining a balance between personal life and professional activity is important to take care of emotional balance, along with mental and physical health. It is already well known that family and friend relationships are essential for a happy existence regardless of our role in life.
Finally, a brief reference to time management. Time is the way we measure the passage of life. In reality, time is everything: it is the framework in which we develop everything we do. You have to try to make an effort to be productive and spend every day in a profitable way.
We have had to live in an extraordinarily interesting time. The challenges that our generation has had have been complex and many fundamental tasks remain unresolved. Today’s young people inherit these challenges, plus the challenges posed by the incredible degree of development that humanity has reached. They will have to face with talent and effort the task of continuing the road in the best possible direction.
Written by José R. Solano
