Last month, I talked through placing more value on and prioritizing your professional development. While we all know it’s important, sometimes we just don’t find the time. In that same breath, finding fulfillment in our career aspirations is something that can be swept under the rug in hopes of financial freedom or status.
The beginning of my career was such a confusing time. Routine change, lifestyle change and plenty of time to think through what I cared about. Only after I had graduated did I begin to consider how my personal values were aligned with what I was choosing as a career path. Thankfully, that path has led me to the wonderful opportunity to collaborate with such a wide variety of successful business owners and their goals, but it was not the day-to-day tasks that got me to the fulfillment I feel today. I was constantly asking myself the “Why?” we so often forget about during our busy work weeks. While I’m not advising a career change if you can’t answer that question, I invite you to assess your career goals in tandem with your personal values. How can you create your own “Why?”
As a Chamber Member, you’re halfway there. The sense of pride that comes with a community that you contribute to on a regular basis is invaluable. While your business benefits from advertising opportunities or leads captured through networking, you benefit from the relationships you build and the unlimited learning opportunities just from talking to the person next to you. Looking for a way to get the next step in your career? You’ll meet someone who knows what the action plan should be. Having HR trouble? You’ll meet someone who can relate. The Chamber is an unlimited reservoir of connection that I harp on (which you know if we’ve had a meeting recently.)
Understanding where you are and where you want to go allows you to assess where there’s room for growth and development. The Chamber has so many great professional development opportunities that allow for reflection and collaboration in your goals. We have recently launched Legacy Circles, our official mentorship program, which gives you a space to understand and discuss the intricacies of what makes a great leader. We have an upcoming Business Power Hour about building resilience against burnout, something we all feel but will continue to deny. To my fellow young professionals, stepping up and being involved can be crucial in pushing your career forward. Learn about the value of our not-for-profits and what it means to serve on one of their boards at our Young Professionals Network Quarterly.
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your Membership as your renewal comes around, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me, Maddie Smith. See you around!