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10 questions you MUST ask yourself to maximize your Career Potential in 2010.
By: Roger Lear

Happy New Year to all of you! If you are like most people you would like to maximize your career potential. While that sounds obvious, it is much harder to understand how this is accomplished. In addition, it can be very tricky to change directions due to family obligations, the costs of additional education and a change in your standard of living.

Are you maximizing your career? What does this mean? It is different for everyone but it all should end up with one common idea which I term common sense. When you get up in the morning, are you excited to go to work, are you challenged, growing and making the kind of money you are worth? The person who paints houses may have maximized their career as much as a top software sales person who travels 80% of the time and loves the situation. Career maximization is unique to each person but it should be custom fit to your career desires.

I have 10 questions you must ask yourself about your career to help begin the process of maximizing your career. Be honest in your assessment.

1. Do you like the industry that you work in currently?
2. Do you have a passion for your job/career path?
3. Can you adapt quickly to new technology?
4. Do you standout in your current job? Are you the "go to" person?
5. Do you understand the skill sets needed to maximize your current career path?
6. Will your current skill sets get you promoted at your company?
7. Will your career path support your financial goals?
8. Are you proud and excited to tell people what you do for a living?
9. Have you talked to people in your career path that have been very successful to find out how they did it?
10. Do you understand the exact education you may need to change careers?

Only you know how you feel about your current situation whether you are working or looking for a job. You, and only you, can control what you do for a living. Your career success is directly related to your motivation and the passion it takes to make it happen. If you want to be a successful underwriter in an insurance company, do you understand what skills are needed, where to get them and how to use them on the job to be the "go to" person? If you want to be a General Manager of a hotel, have you spoke to a few GM's about how they made it? If you want to be a radiologist, have you talked to some schools about how this can happen?

No matter where you are in your career, you can change it to fit you and your situation. While this can be time consuming and may include an investment into additional education, your future will pay you back many times over! My hope for you in 2010 is that you answer those ten questions with a resounding "YES!".

question: How do I quit my job and my earnings to get the education I need to upgrade my career?  I have 2 kids and many expenses.

answer: Great question.  This is hard but it can be done.  First of all, research the jobs, career paths and salary expectations that additional education can produce.  Make sure it is realistic and worthwhile.  (I would not suggest things like starting your own business, Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) or things like that). Secondly, find out if you can complete the course work or training online or at night.  Thirdly, get some assistance for education by talking to the school about finance options. If you have to go to school during the day, see if you can work at night.  (Either way, you need to find assistance with the children through family or friends.  If that is not possible, you may have to only evaluate career opportunities that can meet your schedule).  Finally, charge into your education and don't look back.  Impress your teachers and take every opportunity to intern or extern.  Keep motivated, and stick to a time schedule for completion.  In the end, you will provide an example to your kids as well as upgrade your career.  Making it happen is the key!