Happy December.

To support you in being F.I.R.S.T. (Future-Ready. Innovative. Relevant. Strategic. Trusted.), here's 1 tip and 1 quote.

1. F.I.R.S.T. Tip

A lady once shared that she was a learning junkie. When asked to share the top 5 things she had learnt that year, and which of them helped her do her current job better and which ones prepare her for the future (next higher) level, she was surprised that all four were about her current job.

This is an easy enough mistake to make. While it is important to learn things that help us do our jobs better, remember that its equally important to constantly acquire new skills that help propel our career forward.

Here are 5 ways to do so:

  1. Broaden Your Horizons: Explore opportunities that stretch beyond your current role. Attend industry events, join professional associations, or volunteer for cross-functional projects to develop new skills and expand your network.
  2.  Identify Key skills - Pinpoint one new skill or area of knowledge you want to develop, and research relevant workshops, courses, or networking events to build those capabilities. 
  3. Invest in your professional development plan – Remember, the skills and knowledge you acquire today may not be relevant in five or ten years. Your individual development plan should include both short-term and long-term goals. Review it regularly to ensure you're prepared for the next stage of your career.
  4. Dedicate time for learning - set aside a portion of your weekly schedule to learning and skill-building activities. Make learning a priority, not just an afterthought. 
  5. Enlist an accountability partner - find a friend, peer, mentor or coach to help you stay on track with your learning goals.

The key is ensuring you have the right balance between excelling in your current role and continuously preparing for your future career. At all times you must be preparing yourself to function one-up. 

2. F.I.R.S.T. Quote (...Though this is for life :))

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