4 Career Skills You Should Constantly Be Developing

You probably don’t need to be told how quickly time passes or how rapidly everything changes; you might be noticing a few new wrinkles or greying hairs when you look in the mirror.

It can be easy to settle into a routine in our work lives and before we know it we’ve “lost” a few years with our career on autopilot. Unfortunately, careers on autopilot are rarely successful and employees operating in this way tend to be the first to experience the impact of staff reductions or downsizing.

Our careers and work lives need regular attention and we should be constantly updating and developing our skills.

Here are a few skills you may want to concentrate on throughout the year.

Computer skills. Stay up to date on new technologies, new programs, new gadgets, and learn how to code. The world becomes more automated daily through computer technology and, regardless of your current career path, it pays to be aware of the trends in technology and stay current with your computer skills. There are many free classes you can take online so you don’t have to spend a lot of money on training sessions to stay up to date.

Networking. Continue to develop your network by becoming more engaged at your workplace, being involved in your community, attending networking events, and going to conferences and workshops relevant to your work. Expanding your network is a great asset and can help you find a job quickly if you end up in need of one.

Public speaking. Learning to speak effectively in front of an audience is a skill that can bring other opportunities for you and demonstrates leadership and expertise in your field. Take advantage of opportunities to speak to groups at your job, place of worship, or in your community throughout the year. You might even make some extra money and turn your public speaking skills into a side hustle.   

Self-care. You should always be considering your lifestyle and refining it so that it works effectively for you. This can involve physical activity and exercise, a change in diet, improved sleeping habits, or a new spiritual practice such as meditation. Pay attention to the practices you can implement to have more energy and to be more effective and productive in your work.

Give yourself a reminder to evaluate your progress in these areas every few months.