Success

Master Academic Excellence in University: 9 Things You Must Do to Excel

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Academic Excellence in University

Looking for ways to excel or get better grades in the University? Search no further; read this article now, and you’ll learn how to excel in the University.

Achieving academic excellence is a significant accomplishment, and it is entirely attainable. Often, students entering university are filled with enthusiasm, but along the way, they may become discouraged and doubt the possibility of success. However, as long as you commit to your goals and maintain diligence, success is within reach. Remember, failure doesn’t have companions. 

1. Write Down Your Goals and Vision

Habakkuk 2:2-3 states, “Then the Lord replied: ‘Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.’”

Before you write your goals, take some time to reflect on what you want to achieve academically. Your goals should be realistic and attainable, though they can be challenging as long as you believe you can achieve them.

 

2. Shun negativity

Words are like seeds that grow in our minds. If you allow negative comments from others to affect you, it can have a detrimental impact on your mindset. For example, Tyla started university with a senior colleague telling her that getting an A in their department was impossible, and she internalized that belief. As a result, she aimed only for a C in her studies, which reflected in her poor results during her first year.

After realizing the impact of those negative words, she changed her mindset, began believing in herself, and ultimately achieved her best results in her subsequent years in school. Proverbs 14:7 reminds us to “Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.”

 

3. Surround Yourself with Good Friends

Build a supportive community of friends who motivate and encourage you in your studies. Don’t isolate yourself in university; instead, connect with friends who will help you become the best version of yourself academically. Seek friends who will be honest with you and uphold positive values. While conflicts may arise, that’s a natural part of life. Cherish the gift of good friendship.

1 Corinthians 15:33 warns us, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”

 

4. Be Diligent

There is no shortcut to academic excellence; hard work is essential. Many students enter university and become distracted by extracurricular activities, neglecting their studies. To excel, you must be prepared to invest time, attend classes regularly, complete assignments, and study diligently. Create a personal study timetable that allows you to read both when it is convenient and inconvenient.

Don’t waste time on social media, and don’t wait for your university to issue the exam timetable before you start studying. Effective note-taking during lectures and actively asking questions are key to understanding course material.

As 2 Timothy 2:15 advises, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

 

5. Cultivate Discipline

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A Tale of 3 Women Who Broke Barriers

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Birds Who Flew Without Wings A Tale of Three Women Who Broke Barriers

A Tale of 3 women who against all odds broke barriers, Dr. Yvonne, Miss Ara, and Mrs. Ayanfe, didn’t let their past and background define them; read this article to see their stories, how they flew even when it seemed as though their wings had been cut.

5 Ways to Recognizing Failure as a Path to Attaining Success

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Recognizing Failure as a Path to Attaining Success

Failure is not the end of the road but the beginning of success. Whether in business, parenting, relationships, or career, everybody sometimes experiences failure. Most people who are successful today have experienced failure, sometimes several times, and still succeeded. It is a stepping stone to achieving success. “Do not be embarrassed by your failures, learn from them and start again.”-  Richard Branson Though failure can be disheartening, we must not give up because it is part of life. We learn from our mistakes and setbacks. Once we know not to dwell on this, our lives will change dramatically, and we will realize that it is a stepping stone to success. We should understand that a person’s destination doesn’t define him; what matters is how long it takes him to reach the goal. Failure provides us with an opportunity to learn and grow. It teaches us to be positive even when things seems tough. When you experience a setback, always believe that you will bounce back. It doesn’t mean the end of the road. Always accept it anytime it keeps knocking, knowing it is a way to your success and moving your life forward to greatness. When you experience failure, it is an opportunity to build emotional resilience. It is a learning experience; instead of seeing it as a painful time, I see it as a step toward success. We will examine a few ways to overcome failure positively. 5 Ways to Work Through Failure In A Positive Way 1. Maintain a Growth Mindset. Focusing on a growth mindset means seeing failure as a stepping stone rather than a roadblock. Failure should always be viewed as an opportunity to learn, adapt to circumstances, and learn from mistakes. Having a growth mindset will prompt us to reevaluate our strategies, identify our weaknesses, and gain insight to help us make better decisions in life. 2. Embrace Failure When we embrace failure, it will propel us to think positively about failure. To do that, we should admit our mistakes, learn from other people’s mistakes, and study how others experience loss in their path to success. We must also celebrate failure as part of the learning and growth process. We must also understand that it is an opportunity to develop strength and determination to overcome challenges we may encounter in the future. 3. Cultivating Resilience Resilience is the greatest lesson failure has on humans. It allows us to see it as a stepping stone, not a roadblock that thwarts our advancements. When we experience setbacks, difficulties, or obstacles, failure helps us develop the strength to bounce back; no matter what we face, this will lead us to make better decisions in life. To conquer it, we must be willing to examine our actions and use the knowledge to move ahead with determination. We must build resilience and accept it as a possibility for personal growth instead of downfall. 4. Learn from Failure We must learn from it as it is a stepping stone to recognizing our hurdles and assists us in understanding the areas in which we need improvement. Knowing that will compel us to gain insight that can shape our future. We should also learn from those who experienced failure on the path to achieving success. It will also encourage us to stand firm amid collapse.  5. Building Character Failure should be seen as an opportunity to shape our character, establish strength, and be persistent, enabling us to succeed. Through failure, we understand who we are and how we react to situations around us. It influences us to contend with our flaws, establishing stability and determination to build our character.  Failure exposes us to life lessons: humility and tolerance, and we need to be determined and face reality in life. Final Thought Without failure, there should be no success. We must not give up. We learn from our mistakes, and when we correct those mistakes, we are getting one step closer to our success. We must keep striving until we achieve success in life. We should not avoid failure or be afraid of it.  We need to embrace it as a segment on the way to success. Changing our view and accepting failure as an opportunity for expansion will help us attain our full potential to work toward personal and career success.  Nevertheless, let us celebrate and embrace failure as a stepping stone to our success.  “Remember, failure is not the end of the road, but the beginning of success.”  

Relevant Skills You Need for Career Success

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In today’s competitive world, it is important to learn and master some essential skills that will land you in your dream job. Every person has his or her special set of skills. Mastering some important skills is essential to cope with this fastest-growing technology. In this article, we will explore the skills you need to work on for a successful career. Types of Skills There are two types of skills which are Soft and Hard skills. You need a combination of relevant hard and soft skills to be successful in any role. A. Soft Skills: These are skills that occur to an individual naturally. It involves personal habits and traits that shape you as an individual. Some others include Leadership, Dependability, Effective teamwork, and active listening. B. Hard Skills: Hard skills have to do with the technical capabilities of an individual. They are usually gained through training, schooling, and certifications. Some of the hard skills include Computer skills, Microsoft Office skills, Analytical skills, and Marketing skills. Essential Skills for Your Career Growth Learning, Media and Information Literacy, and Life skills are the three main abilities for your career success and job satisfaction. 1. Learning: When you learn a new skill and practice it, it makes you a better person day by day. Willingness to learn new things is important and this is what a recruiter is interested in and looking for. These skills include Problem-solving, Creative thinking, Communicating ideas, Learning from mistakes, Decision-making, Analytical thinking, etc. 2. Media and Information Literacy: Assessing and analyzing information is the skill of not only gathering information on a certain topic but also analyzing the quality of that information. Media and Information literacy is a combination of abilities that includes Knowledge, Critical thinking, and the use of digital tools. These include Skills like Accessing information, Evaluating information, Interpreting media messages, and using digital technologies. 3. Life Skills: Life skills are the skills that help you deal effectively with daily obstacles in your everyday life. Self-confidence is the most important life skill that allows an individual to recall random facts at the right time. This includes skills like Self-awareness, Empathy, Assertiveness, Decision-making, Resilience, Ability to cope with Problems, and Negotiation skills. Read Also: Strategies To Build A Successful Career (Part 2) Action Plan How can we develop these skills to succeed? 1. Start with core skills: Know the skill you are learning. As you become more comfortable practicing one of the Skills, start working on another and continue to grow your skill set. 2. Select one Skill at a time: You can’t work on everything at the same time. Identify what you need to learn. This can help you work on areas that need improvement. Select one skill at a time that you can master. 3. Training: Look out for courses and technical platforms that can help you with your technical abilities. Some platforms help you excel, learn, and provide certifications. Some of the online platforms that provide free and paid courses include Udemy, Coursera, Edx, and YouTube. 4. Opportunities: Apart from helping you with training and education, actively networking and participating in discussions and workshops can show your commitment to the organization, desire to stay on top of the latest trends, and interest in improving related skills. It also helps broaden your perspective. 5. Practice: Skills can be refined with practice, put into practice in your everyday life, and see yourself become a better person. 6. Feedback: Feedback is the most important aspect that can help you identify your errors. Never be afraid of criticism. Always take it positively and work on your weaknesses. Take the time every day to reflect on the progress you are making. We have discussed the soft and hard skills that a person should keep on inculcating in life. Human beings have the capability to learn something new every day. Keep yourself open to learning something new, this is the best gift we can give to ourselves to overcome our insecurities.

Crafting A Compelling Personal Brand: A Sure Way for Career Success

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Personal branding is the most powerful self-marketing strategy for achieving career success. It differentiates you so you can get noticed and hired. One powerful tool to stand out and make a lasting impression in today’s competitive world is crafting a personal brand. It is essential for career success. Your personal brand is how you present yourself to the professional world, it is your unique identity, reputation and the value you bring. In this article, we will walk you through the steps to building a strong personal brand that will help you leave a lasting mark and propel your career to new height. 1. Define Your Value Proposition To create or craft a personal brand, you need to know your value proposition, that is, what makes you different from others and why should people be interested or connected with you. You must identify what sets you apart from others. Do self-reflection and assessment, consider your skills, experiences, and strengths. What unique value do you bring to the table? What values and skills do you possess that others do not have? Is it your expertise, innovative thinking, exceptional problem-solving skills, or critical and strategic thinking? Define your unique value proposition to create a solid foundation for your brand. Focusing on a special skill set when creating your brand will help you stand out from the crowd. 2. Establish Your Professional Identity Crafting a personal brand starts with establishing your professional identity. This involves creating a compelling online presence. You can a develop professional blog, or website to showcase your expertise and achievements. You can use your professional photos as a profile on your social media platforms. A captivating summary and detailed account of your accomplishments can also be included in your profile. Share your insights and opinions through regular content creation on relevant platforms. 3. Cultivate Your Online Reputation In this digital age, your online presence plays a crucial role in shaping your brand. Maintain a consistent and positive online reputation. Participate in industry discussions to engage with your professional network, and share valuable insights and your thoughts as regards matters under discussion. Showcase your professionalism, and respond to comments and messages promptly. Be mindful of the content you share on social media platforms, ensuring it aligns with your brand image.   Read Also: Strategies to Build A Successful Career. Part 1 4. Consistent Marketing Strategy Everything you do, or choose not to do, can communicate the value of your brand. The resumes and cover letters that you format; the emails you send; the words you speak; the clothes you wear, the way you conduct yourself in meetings, everything matters. The way you talk in public, what you say, or the words you speak tell or suggest to people your brand. 5. Rewrite Your Resume As Your Bio and Update It Constantly Consider your resume to be your bio for your brand. Boil the contents of your resume down into a short and powerful narrative that you can attach as your bio to your web profiles, blog posts, and other internet-based writing. Your bio should include your education and work experiences, published works, awards, community activities, and some personal interest information. Keep your bio up to date by including important events as you accomplish them. 6. Network and Collaborate or Build Relationships Building a personal brand is not a one-man business. Actively engage in networking and seek opportunities for collaboration. Attend industry conferences, join professional associations, and participate in relevant online communities. Build meaningful relationships with influencers, peers, and mentors who can support and amplify your brand. Collaboration can open doors to new opportunities and expand your reach. Ensure that there is constant communication between you and your networks, and make them aware of your recent success. Search out new professional associations or online communities to add to your network. Find opportunities to weave your mission into conversation with your network. 7. Continuously Develop and Evolve A personal brand is not static, it evolves with your growth and accomplishment. Continuously invest in your professional development by staying updated on industry trends, attending workshops and seminars, and pursuing relevant certifications. Embrace lifelong learning. Crafting your brand is a powerful investment in your professional success. It is a constant thing and should continue to evolve throughout your career. Remember, a successful brand is all about demonstrating your unique value to prospective employees and getting recognized, chosen, and rewarded for it. Create a compelling online presence and optimize it. Change the rules of the game, and be attractive to your audience, instead of pursuing them. By following the above steps, you can build a strong personal brand that sets you apart in your industry. Embrace the process and let your brand become the guiding force that propels your career to new heights. There is only one unique you in the whole world. It is time to let the world know about your uniqueness.

Why Networking is Essential to Your Career Success

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Networking is good for your career growth, serves as an avenue to create long-term relationships with mutual benefits, and is not only about trading information. The importance of the saying “no man is an island” has been proved to be the reason why many of us need to make a collective effort in the bid to achieve professional success. There is no denying the power a strong professional network can have over your career success. When it is done well, networking will not only help you land a job faster, but it will give you a competitive edge throughout every stage of your career. Many individuals who succeeded in their careers, the causes have largely been attributed to the strong networking channels they have created over time.But, the question of who you network with and their relevance to your career matters more. This article will tell us some reasons why networking should be an essential aspect if you truly want to build your career, and what you can do to improve your networking skills throughout your career development. What is Networking? Networking is not merely the exchange of information with others, and it is certainly not about begging for favours. favouring is about establishing, building and nurturing long-term mutually beneficial relationships with the people you meet. Why Networking is Important to Your Success Experts agree that the most connected people are often the most successful. When you invest in your relationships, professional and personal, it can pay you back in dividends throughout your career. Networking is essential since it will help you develop and improve your skill set, stay on top of the latest trends in your industry, keep a pulse on the job market, meet prospective mentors, partners and clients, and gain access to the necessary resources that will foster your career development. 1. An Avenue to Exchange Ideas You never can tell how much you know without listening to other people. Success in a career is largely attributed to the pool of information or ideas you have garnered over the past. When networks have been created, they foster ideas to sustain long-term relationships and mutual trust. When you are receiving ideas, it helps both in your place of work and out, in addition to instilling best practices that soothe your career. 2. It Makes You Noticeable Individuals who want publicity either for business, politics, or even fame leverage more on networking. People quickly notice others that have stronger capabilities to make them relevant. When you stand out both your expertise and the services you offer, it creates room for partnership which in turn builds a career. Many professionals have been able to understand how to nurture their networking strength and create more visibility for different associates and clients in their career paths. 3. Avenue for New Opportunities When people start noticing you, it opens the door for new opportunities. Business and career individuals who have networked over the time have been able to expand with minimal effort because of the avenue of new opportunities opened to them through networking. Opportunities like meeting the right clients or even meeting people who are superior to your career path could be a stepping stone that could change your life for the better. 4. Support from High Profiles Individuals Everybody has one way or the other passed through some hurdles in their career development. This can be a result of lack of financial aid or other cogent reasons. However, good networking with high profiles from the same career path can serve as support whenever there is any eventuality at any time. These high-profile individuals can help you manage your challenges effectively by either giving you advice or linking you to the right financial support. 5. Growth in Status Developing your career status is a long-term process depending on how you focus on your networking path. Top career individuals who are where they are today are a result of the status they have grown in networking. The contacts you keep are largely attributed to your growth. They largely influence growth in your status and pave the way for better opportunities in your career. Your connections are powerful. 6. Develop Long-lasting Relationships If networking is a mutual relationship, then having the right networking channel can help build your career. Though networking might not be an easy and fast approach to building a long-lasting relationship. But making it a two-way process of giving and taking, can open the door for a firmer relationship. People who have made networking their priority have been able to build careers relevant to their set goals. Read Also: Strategies to Build A Successful Career. Part 1   How to Become An Effective Networker The importance of networking cannot be overstated. But how can you improve your networking skills to ensure you are networking efficiently and effectively? These networking tips will help: 1. Figure out what networking style works best for you There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to networking. People use different networking tactics. The important thing is to try different networking strategies to discover what best suits you. E.g. if you are networking and you are an introvert, you may prefer to network one-on-one or to attend more intimate events with fewer attendees. Once you have discovered your ideal networking style, consider where you can go to meet the right people who can help you achieve your current career development goals. 2. Network outside the box Look for opportunities to network strategically in every facet of your life. Deena Baikowitz, Chief Networking Officer and Co-founder of Fireball Network, suggests choosing networking events and organizations that matter to you. “Start where you are motivated to meet new people with common professional or personal interests,” Baikowitz advises. Think about what you are passionate about and the types of people with whom you are most comfortable. This could be networking with your alma mater’s local chapter, a community organization etc. , Baikowitz also suggests volunteering to find … Read more

Strategies to Enjoy A Successful Career.(Concluding Part).

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In our previous articles on career success, we were able to look at strategies to build a successful career, part 1, and what to do in order to enjoy career success in part 2. In this concluding part, we shall explore other tips to build a successful career. Having a successful career is something that is under your control. The key is knowing what you have a passion for and pursuing it, it is also in developing habits as well as skills that make you more effective at work and home. To start enjoying career success, the following tips are important as we conclude this series. 7. Keep A Positive Attitude When you have a positive attitude, positive results will come. Your attitude determines your altitude. Pessimism is the enemy of success. Pessimism can turn challenges into insurmountable, while optimism can make every challenge to be surmountable. Always look on the bright side and have a positive attitude and the future of your career will be brighter as well. 8. Maintain Work-Life Balance While it is important to put forth your best effort in your job to have success in the workplace, overworking leads to stress and burnout, which are counterproductive to your desire for success. If you find your job is dominating your personal life, it is time to adopt a new system. Start by developing interests outside of work. Start a fitness routine, seek out social events, or look for new opportunities to learn more about the things you are interested in that are not associated with your job. Take time for recreation. It is just as important to play as it is to work and rest. Recreation allows your mind to unplug and your body to refresh. In turn, you will be able to be more productive and happier in the work place. Read Also: Strategies to Build A Successful Career. Part 1   9. Set Goals for Yourself One of the most crucial things a person can do for his career is to set goals for himself. A set of well-thought-out goals can serve as a roadmap to success, providing you with objectives to meet along the way as you work towards wherever you want to be in your career. Besides ensuring that you do what it takes to meet the goals that you set for yourself, the most important part of setting goals is making sure the goals you set are beneficial. A beneficial goal is that which will improve you and your career when you meet it. Set both short-term and long-term goals that will help you reach the end goal you have for your career, whatever that end goal may be. Read Aslo:  Strategies To Build A Successful Career (Part 2)   10. Master Time Management Success tips for work include learning how to manage your time effectively. Some of the best advice for time management is to plan out your workday, either at the end of your current workday or first thing in the morning when you arrive at work. Prioritize tasks so that the most important things get done first. Taking on your biggest, most important and sometimes least desirable task first, then the rest of your day will be more productive. Apply the Pareto principle to prioritizing your tasks, which is a concept that asserts roughly 20 percent of your efforts account for 80 percent of your success. Make sure your 20 percent is focused on the most important tasks that will keep you on a course toward your goals. When you have major projects to complete, break milestone down into smaller, more manageable tasks with clear deadline. Learn the time management skills you need to meet your deadline. Minimize distractions and reward yourself for your successes. 11. Go The Extra Mile One of the most important skills you can gain for success at work is putting in the extra effort needed to make good things happen in the workplace. Employees who are not afraid of working hard develop the skills they need to become leaders within an organization. Instead of being an employee who has a job, you can strive to be the boss who runs or owns a company. Pay attention to the goals your company has, see big picture, you will be able to anticipate needs, notice trends that will bring new developments and offer new ideas that can catapult both you and your organization to success. When needed, add new tasks to your duties that will streamline your progress. Instead of waiting for your boss to assign new tasks to you, take initiative. This is one of the most important skills employees can develop to transition to a boss mentality. By applying these strategies for success at work, you will increase your confidence, improve your skills, and achieve your goals not just at work but in life.

Career Success: A Guide To Finding Your Own Unique Answers

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Career success is a pursuit that transcends mere employment. It represents the realization of ones professional aspirations and goals. It is a journey marked by dedication, continuous learning and the ability to adapt to change. In this era of evolving industries and dynamic work places, achieving career success demands a combination of skills, resilience and strategic planning. Career success is when you experience financial health and work you enjoy, while feeling fulfilled in your peer community and life choices. What is Career Success? Career Success can be defined as experiencing financial health and work you enjoy, while feeling fulfilled in your peer community and life choices. Building a career is like building a house. You can plan and draw up blueprints. But you will most likely run into unforeseen hiccups. If your career is your house, then your success makes your house a home. There are stages to building your dream career, they are: Set Your Foundation: The most important part of any house is its foundation. Even an uneven ground, a strong foundation can help a house stand tall through storms and floods. Community forms the foundation of your career success. A sense of community has been proven to ease you through career transitions, at any point in your career. Your career support network will help you not just stand, but grow and thrive. These are your peers, mentors, and coaches. They are your sounding board throughout your careers. They are there to help you in the difficult moments in your life and career. These people go beyond your education, they dont ditch you at graduation, these are people you trust. They invest in your development. Whether you are looking to change your career or you are just launching one, you will need to rely on others. Consulting many trusted people with differing opinions will help you make well-rounded decisions. Having a community will offer more opportunities for personal growth and propel you forward through honest and trusted feedback. If you trust them to have your best interest in mind, the power of a community cannot be overstated. That is why community forms the foundation of career success. Building Four Walls: It has been established that, true career success begins with a strong community foundation. But, what about the rest of your house? That is where your 4 walls come in. it is safe to say that to feel valued in any industry, finding kinship in peer and mentor relationship is key. Once that is securely in place, it is time to push yourself and delve into expanding your skillset. While many forms of training offer knowledge, it is up to you to invest in lifelong career development. Learn Improve Launch Succeed As a basic framework, you can achieve career success in a few ways. Find your passion, build on key skills, invest in your future and stay curious. Apply these principles throughout your entire career: from hired to retired. Learn: Courses, on-demand The first wall needed for a successful career, a safe space to continually learn new skills and knowledge. The important word here is the word continual, not the word learn. Learning is about longevity, online learning helps offer opportunities for remote learning and self-paced learning. Improve: Workshops This is all about finding a safe place to improve your skill set. And how do you get better at something? Practice and refinement. Skill development takes time, also building your dream career takes time. But, through constant practice, you will see growth. To be good at something, you have to receive feedback and practice through repetition. In this repetition, the goal is not perfection, but growth. Use your community, find the right environment to improve the areas where you need to improve, and continue to strengthen the areas where you are already strong. Launch: Job Board Career Resources The launch pillar, is about more than getting a job, it is about getting the job you want, with confidence. The job search is no small feat. It is emotionally draining. Riddled with rejection and can be desired as a full-time job in itself. Launching into an industry or profession or relaunching after time away can be daunting. Especially, if you dont know anyone. If you have your community behind you, you can carve a path forward using those connections. Any industry feels warmer when you know people. Succeed: This is day-to-day victories that keep you growing in the right direction. Support, guidance and coaching can all contribute to your success. Things like mental health and work-life balance are all key players in your succeed wall as well. A career coach can help guide you toward healthy and sustainable career decisions. These, along with your wider community, will help you every step of the way. Make your House a Home You have built up your foundation, you have set your concrete, you have built all 4 walls. The little piece of magic in your career is YOU. Your dreams, aspirations, wants, needs and lifestyle. Everything that makes you unique contributes to your career success. Success is personal, and so are your goals.                                      Reflect on the questions below, if you answer yes to at least 2, it is usually a good sign that you are headed in the right direction. This is where real career success can happen. i. Does it contribute to your financial health? ii. Are you surrounded by a community that uplifts you? iii. Do you find enjoyment in your work? Another way of looking at it. Your career should safeguard your home. It is your roof. Stability Support Satisfaction If your next move will make you feel stable, supported and bring you satisfaction then TAKE IT. That is the right move for you. Conclusion Career success is a proof of one’s hard work and resilience overtime, it shows the mark of dedication and grit. Building a good career involves … Read more