Seven Attributes for a Strong Career

Picked up these seven rules from an email that always seems to find its way into my inbox. I'm about 0 for 7 on these attributes but something to work towards, eh.

As I explain in my book, Work Strong: Your Personal Career Fitness System , a strong career is one with seven attributes. It's a career where:

1. You refresh and expand your expertise in your field of work so that you are always able to perform at the state-of-the-art;

2. You extend and nurture your network of contacts in your field and industry so you are always top of mind when opportunities come up;

3. You add ancillary skills (e.g., a second language, the ability to use a new software program) so that you are able to extend the contribution you make with your primary area of expertise:

4. You push out the limits of your comfort zone so you can work in the widest possible range of situations and circumstances;

5. You work with those individuals and organizations that will support and advance your career so you are always in an environment where you can succeed;

6. You volunteer your talent to community, social service or environmental groups so you can contribute to others' future as well as your own; and

7. You pace yourself with appropriate downtime and vacations so you preserve and reinforce your enthusiasm and commitment to doing your best work on-the-job.