Putting pressure on yourself to constantly generate career power plays is an easy trap to fall into. It can be tempting to feel like you’re not progressing in your career when there hasn’t been a recent pay increase or title change to validate your successes. This mindset can weigh particularly heavily on security-cleared professionals who are consistently surrounded by high achievers and fast-paced career lifestyles. While this bustling professional environment is rewarding for some, it often leads to burnout for others.
These two extremes beg the question: how can both cleared employees and employers find a happy medium between career progression and mental well-being? Positive professional growth may sometimes come from a single grand effort, but it doesn’t have to. Tiny steps forward are often the most strategic and sustainable ways to advance.
Don’t Be Discouraged
The reality is that there are several low-effort strategies all security-cleared individuals can use – regardless of title – many of which take no more than 30 minutes. These “career boosters” are sure to please both Type A and Type B professionals, from satisfying your tedious organizational habits or crafting up a quick vision board for the next year. When you can only stand to benefit from them, you have no reason not to partake. Taking a small step or two to refine your career, minus the hours of guesswork and effort, is sure to impact your confidence if nothing else.
Here’s What to Do
Whether it’s refreshing your resume, updating your LinkedIn profile, pursuing a micro-certification, or joining a virtual event, the refresh to your career may feel addicting – and you’ll enjoy knowing it didn’t shave hours off your life. Several of these mini career boosters have the potential to push you towards your next promotion, bring awareness to an unexpected networking opportunity, or peak your interest towards a sought-after lateral position. Even if you’re satisfied with your current professional status, there is always value in growing your network and preventing future plateaus.
