A number of years back I spoke with a consultant from company X. He asked what I was doing to further my career. I told him and his reaction was to hammer on me to be far more active in driving my career where I thought it should go. He said that he spent about 50% of his work time preparing for or looking for his next step and that he felt that if he spent more than 2 years in one place that he was a loser and was going no where.

I have seen many over the years gain a position with their mouth and "image" that their skills and abilities cannot keep them. They rise quickly and often fall just as fast or stagnate. Better to rise according to your skills and abilities and sustain the growth forward. It is not that you rise quickly, it is that you build the foundation of skills, abilities, wisdom, and maturity that will be solid enough and broad enough to support where you really want to go.

I also have seen those who keep building the foundation without seeking the upward mobility that is offered to them. We must keep our eyes, ears, and options open to move upward as we should. We owe it to ourselves and to those who know and love us.

M.