4 Steps to Successful Career-Mapping

4 Steps to Successful Career-Mapping Article by Elise MitchellIf theres one truth in life, its that you cant map out everything. No matter how carefully you plan, youll find yourself on some detours. This is especially true when it comes to your professional journey. With so much unexpected and, many times, unwanted change, it can be tempting to toss out the road map and simply go wherever the wind blows you.Id like to encourage you to fight that urge. Theres still something to be said for strategic career-mapping. As an entrepreneur with more than 20 years under my belt, I believe thoughtful planning is fundamental to creating a fulfilling and successful career. Im not the only one who feels this way The 2017 MRINetwork Millennial Hiring Trends Studyfound that 53 percent of millennials want to map out their careers, too.Theres no denying that traditional employment has largely been supplanted by short-term, part-time, and gig-specific work. In othe r words, our careers have grown more dynamic. However, this economic evolution has not made old-school career-planning obsolete. It simply means we need to adopt new, more adaptable mindsets when considering our career paths.21st-Century Career-MappingCreating a career map originally meant determining how to artfully navigate the corporate ladder. Inthose days, your career path was astraight shot with very few deviations work in X department long enough, become X departments supervisor, advance to Y department, and so itwent until you retired.Todays mapsare less linear.They are full of twists and turns as people navigate opportunities and develop capabilities that lead to new roles, often outside their current companies. About 35 percent of workers freelance, according to a report from Freelancers Union and Upwork, and even more dabble in gig work as needed. These workers bear the responsibility for ensuring they have the necessary skills to advance in their careers. No employer wil l set that path out for them.Weve become a nation (and perhaps a world) of individualists. Were dreamers, with the understanding those dreams will never come to fruition if we arent flexible and journey-minded.Nevertheless, unpredictability can be a hard pill to swallow. At least, it was for me.Avoiding Career-Mapping RoadblocksFocus on what only you can do. Give the rest of it away.I made this my mantra during a crucial time of growth at my company, when I needed to give more authority to our senior leaders. I had no idea how difficult delegating that authority would be.Accepting and acknowledging that you hold tightly to responsibilities you enjoy is one thing doing something about it is quite another. For me, giving away the final say for clients, programs, and initiatives Id built and loved was alfruchtwein gut-wrenching. But I knew growth would be stymied if I didnt share all the best stuff with my most trusted leaders.Once I did this, I saw how these leaders were able to impro ve upon what Id departureed through their fresh perspectives. Plus, there were other things I needed to focus on in order to move us forward. Not surprisingly, I saw my own professional growth take off when I took on new challenges. Had I not released myself from those ties, I would have been stuck.Not all career-mapping is this challenging, but it can be difficult if you dont know what youre doing. If youre interested in setting out a career map of your own, try a few of these strategies to get yourself moving along your preferred route.Career-Mapping Strategies1. Focus on Making Your Good into GreatEach of us has areasin which we excel without trying too hard. Maybe youre a pro networker or a ninja closer. Identify your good skills and turn them into great ones by working your tail off. Dont waste time trying to become awesome at what you dont do well or worse, at what you hate to do. Instead, passionately and enthusiastically become the best you can bewhen it comes to your natur al gifts.2. Take One Step Forward Every DayA half hour per day is all it takes to keep moving ahead on your professional journey. Spend your 30 minutes brainstorming things you can do to develop your abilities and recharge your optimism. Could you read a specific book? Have coffee with a mentor or industry influencer? Rather than thinking too much about the big picture, focus on taking yourself down the road one step at a time.3. Figure Out What Success Looks LikeEvery person has a different measure of success. What is yours? Do you want to start a business? Have an impact on people in need? Write a book and go on the public speaking circuit? Spend a few moments reflecting on what success means to you, then determine how you might reach that destination from where you are today.While the distance could be great, you shouldnt quit your current job immediately or even at all. You might be able to reach your destination through other avenues such as volunteering or a side hustle tha t allow you tomaintain a dependable income at the same time. If you do eventually have to say goodbye to your workplace, youll feel better about doing so, thanks tothe purpose youve set for yourself.4. Build a Robust, Genuine Support SystemFocus on your relationships in both your work and personal lives. Humans rely on connections the more trustworthy, honest cheerleaders you have, the richer your career journey will be. Plus, when you hit a rough spot in the road or have to backtrack, theyll be there beside you. Who knows? They might even willingly take the wheel for a few miles until you get your second wind.If theres one thing you shouldnt be, its a passive participant in your career journey. You have a destination in mind, and even if it seems very far away, its reachable as long as you chart a course and stubbornly and gleefully forge ahead.A version of this article originally appeared on SUCCESS.com.Elise Mitchell is the CEO of Mitchell, an award-winning strategic communicat ions firm. She helped build Mitchell into one of the top 10 fastest-growing firms globally and a two-time Agency of the Year winner, honored by PRWeek and The Holmes Report.Elise has received numerous awards, including being named PRWeek Agency Public Relations Professional of the Year and a Top 50 Power Player in PR. Elises book, Leading Through the Turn, is now available for purchase. Find out more about the book here.