January is a great month. Lots and lots of birthdays in January (including min and Michelle Obama). Today, Betty White turns 98.January is off to a tremendous start - people are actively managing their careers, thinking about what they are doing at work to progress and figuring out what to do next. So many great things that happened this week to help all of us manage our careers at work just a little bit better...=
Take a quick coffee break and check out what's happening this week in the news to help you learn how to better manage your own career.
Here's this week top 3 Career-Maker's :
1 and 2. Betty White Teaches Us 2 BIG LESSONS - You Don't Ever Have to "Retire" and You Do You in Your Career
When you love what you do, retiring seems silly, at least to icons like Betty White. Still working, she credits her longevity to optimism. In fact, she has the longest entertainment career for any entertainer. Nominated for 24 Emmys (she won 8), she is our shining "Golden Girl." And, she was - and is - the original working girl, choosing her career over her family life during a time when most women stayed home. She is a trailblazer in every sense of the word. Her net worth rivals most entertainers although she has not waded into the pay equity debate in Hollywood.
Of course, she isn't working 24/7/365. Retirement doesn't mean golf and tennis 24/7/365. You can "work" in retirement and define what that means to you - a Board role, consulting gigs, volunteer work, and teaching are just a few examples. We all need a purpose, even in retirement.
Plus we all blaze trails for other people by forging our careers in a way that meets our needs (working full time, taking time off, working from home, freelancing or returning back to full time work). Your career does not have to mean one thing for your entire life. IT CAN CHANGE. Millennials dramatically changed workforce culture, promoting a work to live mentality and not vice versa. Company cultures adopted this new workplace mantra - driving performance without driving people to the ground. When we forge new careers - part time, job sharing, freelance, sabbaticals, working remotely or staying in the game 24/7, we reimagine our careers not only for ourselves, but for other people too.
3. Odell's Arrest Warrant for Slapping a Security Guard on the A$$ Proves Someone is Always Watching
Really, OBJ's behavior proves a lot of things. I am not sure many people would call him humble and modest. Sure, he was supporting his Alma Mater - handing out CASH - and being, well OBJ. The slap on the rear might not have been intended to be an "assault", but the slap on the face he is getting is meant to be a message. And, most likely, the league is making an example of his behavior.
Between potentially putting students in compromising situation from an NCAA standpoint to the simple battery charge,OBJ and his representatives are now dealing with the aftermath and publicity issues.
What does this mean for the rest of us who aren't parading on the sidelines handing out cash? It means someone is always watching - your behavior at work is constantly being monitored (formally and informally). And what you think MIGHT be harmless - a touch on the shoulder, a joke, a hug - could be construed exactly the opposite by someone else. Your brand is priceless and delicate. It needs to be protected as much as you need to protect the people around you.
Key Takeaways:
1. Your career is constantly evolving. "Retirement" can just mean slowing down rather than "stopping cold".
2. You can always be redefining your career and how you want to approach it. Working doesn't need to mean 9 to 5 (or 6 or 7 or 8), 5 days a week with a long commute. It can me telecommuting, freelancing or something else that better aligns with your professional and personal goals. Plus, the changes you make help pave the way for someone else too. If you are one of the first in your office to work 80%, part time or remotely, you might have to overcome a few hurdles but you are helping other people follow your lead.
3. Your brand - how people perceive you - is not only critical, it is fragile. You are always being watched. People are always thinking "hey, he/she did a great job in that meeting in terms of how the materials were presented or questions were answered, maybe he/she would like this role". And of course, people can think the opposite. If you are the loud one, getting drunk at company parties, and constantly making people uneasy, you will be much less likely to be considered for roles and opportunities at work.
Have a great weekend!
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