Careers are not straight paths.
If you looked at Ben Affleck’s career very early on, you might think he was destined for stardom. Winning an Oscar for Good Will Hunting so early in his career certainly put him in an upward direction, but that never guarantees that a career will always move up. Instead, Affleck had years of mediocre movies (Gigli, anyone?) before taking on more interesting roles and a different career path as Director. Since then, he’s garnered critical success with movies like The Town and he’s now nominated for an Oscar for Argo. Don't be afraid to reclaim your career or to reinvent yourself, learn new skills, and try new challenges. You might surprise yourself (and your boss!).

Know your niche and stick with it.
Some people are generalists, able to do a variety of tasks fairly well. And others are specialists, concentrating on a few specific areas in which they truly thrive. Kathryn Bigelow, director of Zero Dark Thirty, has found her niche with detailed, big-screen portrayals of wartime and has continued to thrive after earning her first Oscar for The Hurt Locker. Take a look at your career experiences, evaluate which category you fall into, and embrace your particular abilities.

Some people are just naturals, but most have to work really, really hard.
No matter the career, whether movie star or accountant, some professionals are truly gifted with the skills and innate knowledge to do the job and do it well. Take Quvenzhane Wallis, the youngest actor ever nominated for Best Actress for her starring role in Beasts of the Southern Wild. Wallis was just five years old when she auditioned for the role, and the director knew instantly that she was the “one.” However, for every Quvenzhane Wallis, there are thousands of professionals in all industries who spend countless hours perfecting their craft. Don’t let the fact that you’re not a “natural” deter you from dedicating yourself to something you’re passionate about.

Sometimes You’re the Supporting Role, Sometimes You’re the Star.
In most professions, there are far more opportunities to stand out in a supporting role than to be the big dog or head honcho. Hopefully we all get the chance in our careers to stand out and be recognized, but that chance may come in the form of a supporting role. And with this year’s Oscar nominees for Actors in Supporting Roles, we’re all in good company! Robert De Niro, Sally Field, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Anne Hathaway, Tommy Lee Jones, Amy Adams, Alan Arkin, Helen Hunt, and the list goes on. In the past, these actors have all been recognized for supporting roles AND leading roles, and they’re gracious no matter the role they’ve played. Professionals who make their coworkers look good, look good themselves.

While you may not walk away from your next performance review holding a shiny, golden statue, you can play a starring role in your own career. Take these career lessons from this year’s Oscar Nominees and enjoy your time in the spotlight.