We are now a few months into the new year, so how are your goals coming along? For many, we need additional drive and focus to achieve new levels of impact. One strategy to create more energy and motion, confirmed with professionals, is to help advance the goals of others. This may sound time-consuming, but the energy exchange and related momentum may be worth it.
It is easy to start. During your daily routine, ask more questions of the people who cross your path. Ask about their goals and what they are doing to achieve them. Then when possible, pick a few things each month that you can do to further others.
You may already do this for your family or teams, but I suggest stretching out beyond your comfort zone. It can be as simple as making a connection, sending articles, providing advice or even recommending a person for a role.
Prioritizing and elevating
Most of us experience benefits when others take an interest in our career path. Think about a few people at work or in your network who display promotion potential, are working hard to make a difference, or could benefit from a mentor or sponsor.
It can be tricky to find the extra time with so many demanding deadlines, but don’t overthink it. Even if you are traveling, suggest a phone call, make introductions, offer advice or sponsor someone to take your place at a meeting you cannot attend, which is often a privilege for your stand-in person.
This is not always a one-way exchange; prioritizing meaningful career conversations can often act as a goodwill multiplier that can help you manifest the additional energy you need for your goals.
Ask yourself:
- Who am I mentoring or sponsoring now?
- What type of results have I generated for others during these exchanges?
- Who would I like to mentor in the next six to 12 months, and why?
Many organizations strive for effective and engaging mentoring sessions. If you are wondering where you can jump in, you could start with your company’s HR team. Or ask co-workers who they think could benefit from some extra time to reach their career goals this year. I find that making time to learn about the people in a group or department beyond the daily deliverable can act as a catalyst for great ideas, creative activities, fantastic partnerships and notable outcomes.
A few tips
- Be authentic — be present and tuck your device away.
- Be accepting — not everyone will see or do it your way.
- Be action oriented — find ways to help or guide.
- Be accountable — follow through on your commitments.
Busy seems to be a standard for many of us. So as you are considering who and how you might add value to others, don’t talk yourself out of it based on how busy you are today. Make this time to support and endorse the goals of others, which could act as a catalyst for your own.
JJ DiGeronimo is president at Tech Savvy Women
