Are you completely satisfied with your career?  Or, is there something gnawing at you inside saying that you could do better?  

Here are five questions to determine if you’re on track for building a Bodacious Career and what adjustments you need to make.  (Pssst!  If you own your own business, these questions can be applied with just a little imagination.)

#1 Do you deliberately create relationships with people that matter inside and outside of your company?

Everything in business is introduced, evaluated, negotiated, bought, sold, resolved, ended, and enjoyed is highly related to relationships.  You need to determine who inside and outside your company can help your career in some way.  And you need to take action to get to know them.

#2 Do you know how to say “no” without jeopardizing your career?

You must be able to say “no” in many forms and take stand for yourself when needed.  “No” comes in many forms from “I can’t do that right now, how about on Thursday?” to “If you want me to do this now, I can, but first let me know what can wait to give this priority” to “I appreciate your thoughts, but I’ve decided to make a different decision.”

#3 Do you usually have a proactive strategy for thriving on change?

Change is inevitable, but growth is optional.  For career success you must commit to figuring out how you can thrive, not just survive, as situations arise in today’s constantly changing environment.

#4 Do you embrace office politics and know the power bases in your company?

Office politics is really relationships plus power.  Power is derived from one or more bases exist is every organization:   knowledge power, creative power, positional power, relationship power, and personal power. Embracing office politics means determining how to use the power bases in your company for the good of your career and the organization.

#5 Do you have a personal career plan? 

You must know where you’re headed and how you’re going to get there.  Creating your future includes evaluating what’s working and what’s not in your current situation, allowing yourself to dream about a future state, and taking constructive steps in that direction.  It also includes making adjustments as needed and celebrating achievements along the way.