What should I do in my career?

When it comes to your professional life, however, there are some things that we believe it is in your best interest to begin doing sooner rather than later. You should do this not because some all-knowing career deity out there commands you to, but rather because doing so will make your professional future, in addition to your day-to-day work life, a great deal less difficult.

To answer your question, no, you don't have to cross everything off this list until you're 35 years old. In no uncertain terms, no. However, you should think of it as a list of proposals that, if implemented, may genuinely make a difference in your professional life.

1. Spend some serious time honing your elevator pitch.

In spite of the fact that it is inevitable that it will change on a regular basis, the question "What do you do?" should never be difficult for you to respond to. In point of fact, you need to be so brilliant at it that people won't be able to forget about you.

Therefore, devote a significant amount of time to thinking about the response you want to give when others inquire about your professional life. An activity that might be helpful is provided by communication specialist Alexandra Franzen.

2. Be aware of your unique abilities.

Or, to put it another way, be aware of the one thing that you excel in beyond all others.

Tina Roth Eisenberg, who has been successful in several business ventures, claims that the most successful individuals she's encountered are all aware of their particular strengths: The "curiosity" response came from John Maeda, who was the director of the MIT Media Lab and the Rhode Island School of Design. The prominent Brain Pickings blog is curated by Maria Popova, and she used the word "doggedness." The character trait of excitement is Eisenberg's unique superpower. Find out how to identify your own unique superpowers here.

3. Be Aware of Your Own Weaknesses

On the other end of the spectrum, it is also important to be aware of the areas in which you do not excel. Not to make you feel terrible—not in the least!—but to help you know who you should recruit and work with to complement your skill set and what responsibilities you should outsource (so you can spend more time on what you're strong at). Not to make you feel bad. Not in the least.

Having said that:

4. Become Skilled in the Art of Delegation.

No one is capable of doing everything, and if you want to advance in your profession, you're going to need to learn how to differentiate between the things that are worth your time and the things that aren't worth your time when it comes to allocating your time.

And maybe most crucially, have the ability to confidently and efficiently delegate tasks to others, whether they be interns, staff members, your spouse, or anyone you choose to care for your children. You get the idea. You'll be able to delegate tasks effectively by following these ten guidelines for doing so.

5. Acquaint Yourself with the Non-Negotiables of Your Career

You are going to be presented with a lot of chances during your life, and you don't want to squander your time by agreeing to things that aren't really in line with what it is that you want to be doing at this point in your life.

Therefore, it is imperative that you provide an honest assessment of what it is that you want and need from your professional life, after which you should generate a list of non-negotiables that you may refer to the next time you need to make a choice about your professional life. The author Andrea Shields Nunez offers advice on how to first formulate them and then really put them into practice.

6. Engage in an Activity That You Can Be Extremely, Extremely Proud Of

It doesn't matter whether it's something that will define you for the rest of your life, something that you get paid to do, or even something that you truly want to do for the rest of your life; just make sure you have something on your CV that you're genuinely proud of on a fundamental level.

7. Take Advantage of Something You Are Not Overly Proud Of To Improve Yourself

We were going to add "be unsuccessful at anything," but we decided against it since it's stupid. Because, let's be honest, at some moment or another, each and every one of us has been an abject failure.

Which of these is more essential? Learning from that mistake and bringing that lesson with you into the next stage of your career so that you may use it to your advantage.

8. Challenge Yourself to the Fullest

You are aware that you are capable of managing a meeting with thirty people, but what about a travel conference with one hundred people that lasts several days? That can be pushing your capabilities to their very maximum.

In point of fact, something like this is precisely the kind of thing that you need to experiment with every once in a while. After all, you'll never really know how excellent you are unless you branch out a little bit from what you already know and try something new.

9. Challenge Yourself to Face Your Deepest Fears

This requires you to push your limitations even further—we're talking about significantly stepping outside of your comfort zone here.

Why not attempt something that scares you at least once in the early phases of your career? This may be speaking in front of a group of people at a conference, going for a (large) promotion, or finally writing that memoir you've been putting off. People often argue that taking significant risks may result in significant benefits.

10. Become used to the process of receiving feedback.

When asked about the most essential piece of guidance that she could provide to young professionals, Hillary Clinton once replied, "It's vital to take criticism seriously—not personally." Understanding the areas in which you fall short of meeting expectations is the only way to develop and advance in your professional career; nevertheless, taking every critical comment to heart is a quick way to cause your self-assurance to deteriorate.

Therefore, take it from Hillz and begin taking comments seriously as a professional would. Here are a few helpful hints for you to consider.

11. Become At-Ease With the Process of Providing Feedback

Giving feedback is a necessary part of getting what you need and being a happy professional. This includes telling your boss that his hourly drop-bys are really killing the team's mojo or letting your direct report know that arriving to meetings on time is, in fact, required. Both of these examples fall under the category of "giving feedback."

Mastering how to provide it in an effective manner should preferably begin sooner rather than later. Here are some tips.

12. Become used to the feeling of rejecting an offer.

Many of us find it challenging to articulate the word "no," despite the fact that it is just comprised of two letters and is thus one of the shortest words in the English language. However, in order to further our professions and maintain our sanity, it is of the utmost importance that we become proficient in its use and support it.

This is how you should say it to your manager, to a buddy, and to everyone else.

13. Establish a Wide-Ranging Support System Comprised of Reliable Individuals

We've said it before, and we'll say it again (probably at least twice a week for as long as we're in business), the most valuable asset you have in your professional life is the network that you've built up over the course of your career.

And since developing connections takes time, you should get started right now. Here are the steps:

14. Consult with a Select Group of Professionals in the Field of Your Choice

We aren't using the word "mentor" in this context because finding the right mentor shouldn't have a timeline attached to it and because there are plenty of ways to succeed without one. However, having a couple of people in your corner who can advise you on anything from a terrible boss to a career 180 is incredibly valuable. These people can help you navigate anything from a bad boss to a change in career direction.

Additionally, it is possible for your mother to be a part of this group of individuals.

15. Clean up your presence on the internet.

What someone sees about you when they Google you and on your social media sites is increasingly becoming the first impression they get of you. Therefore, set aside some time to tidy them up!

Make sure that any outdated or dubious photographs have their privacy settings adjusted. Delete any postings on Facebook or Twitter that might potentially be used against you. You may manipulate the Google search results to ensure that the items you want to appear at the top do.

16. Make Your LinkedIn Profile Look Its Best.

When we talk about the items that you want to appear at the top of the list, we should mention that your LinkedIn profile is likely the most valuable piece of online real estate you own. Guess where a customer, potential employer, vendor, or other professional contact will try to find you when they want to get in touch with you professionally.

Yup, LinkedIn. Make sure that your profile conveys the message that you want for it to convey (our complete guide to a perfect LinkedIn profile walks you through the process).

17. Put together a collection of your best work in a portfolio.

Whether it's a printed collection of articles, marketing campaigns, or annual reports you've worked on, or a personal website showcasing your skills, having a portfolio that's ready to go will make it easy for you to show your boss (or future boss) what you've got to offer. Having a portfolio that's ready to go will make it easier for you to show what you've got to offer.

Here is more information on why you need one, as well as some straightforward methods to get started right now.

18. Be Able to Sell Your Products (Yourself or Something Else)

Yes, even if making cold calls has never ever crossed your mind as a potential line of work. Whether you're presenting a proposal to your employer or writing a cover letter explaining why you'd be the ideal candidate for the job, the fact of the matter is that at some point, you're going to have to sell something to someone.

Utilize these pointers as a jumping off point for your own individual sales instruction.

19. Be Able to Bargain and Settle Deals

Because in the vast majority of situations, this is the only way you are going to be able to achieve what it is that you want and believe you deserve.

If you've never done it before, we suggest beginning with something simple (like asking your employer to pay for an expensive conference that's coming up) and reading out these articles, which are filled with tips that you can put into practice right now (and motivation).

20. Be Able to Manage Your Way to the Top

There is a widespread misunderstanding that you are expected to grin and bore it through the tasks, working style, or method of accomplishing things that are assigned to you by your superior, regardless of whether or not the demands that they make are acceptable.

In point of fact, the ability to "manage up"—that is, interact with one's superiors and advocate for what one needs in order to do one's work effectively—is an essential professional skill. Molly Donovan provides some advice for doing a good job at it.

21. Have a Mastery of the Art of the Killer Email

You should never send another email that you are not proud of (or that you wouldn't be proud of if your employer saw), and you shouldn't send it again if you can help it.

Consequently, you should ensure that the professional messages you send are composed with the utmost care! Erin Greenawald, who works as an editor, offers advice on how to produce articles that are free of errors in her piece. Although it may seem to be a lot of work, we assure you that it is well worth your time (and will get easier the more you do it).

22. Become an Expert at Shaking Hands

Even if it seems little, shaking hands is the single most effective technique to create (or ruin) a first impression. (Fact: A CEO of a Fortune 500 company once remarked that when he had to pick between two applicants with comparable credentials, he awarded the job to the one who had a stronger handshake.) [Case in point:]

Gain knowledge from someone who is an expert in the field.

23. Locate a method of making to-do lists that is effective for you.

Find a to-do list that helps you manage your workflow in the most effective manner possible and make it a priority to use it, regardless of whether you need your list to be synchronized across all of your devices or you're more of a pen-and-paper type of guy or gal.

Knowing what works for you, what doesn't work for you, as well as what you enjoy and don't like, will ensure that you always have what you need to be your most productive self. This is true even if you move professions or if new applications are released over time.

24. Be Aware of Your Energy Levels and Put Them to Good Use

Nothing is more frustrating (or less productive) than attempting to work when you're not at your peak performance level. You shouldn't spend any more time squandering your most productive thinking hours or force yourself to work while you're in an energy lull. Both of these are bad uses of your time.

Therefore, you should fully comprehend and acknowledge the times of day during which you are most productive, and then follow the suggestions provided by a productivity guru named Alex Cavoulacos to plan out your perfect day.

25. Determine how much sleep you need, and make it a priority to get that amount every night.

We really hope that you picked up this critical life skill while you were in college, but just in case you didn't: Sleep is crucial. Know how much sleep you need, whether it be seven or nine hours, and consistently obtain that amount. Both your health and your career are riding on this decision.

26. Be Able to Deal with Stress in a Healthy Way

It's important to recognize that stress can quickly take control of your life and turn it upside down, so you shouldn't give it too much time to do so.

If stress is a problem for you, you should take action as soon as possible to eliminate it. Lea McLeod, a career coach, offers some suggestions for how you might begin to alleviate your stress; but, if it is really getting overwhelming for you, you should think about going to a trained expert who can provide you with techniques.

27. Stop Over-Apologizing

You may believe that you are being polite or that you are enhancing your reputation if you apologize too much; however, if you apologize too much, especially for minor things or for things that are out of your control, you may inadvertently instill doubt in your abilities and undermine your professionalism.

When a coworker asks you to go back a slide in your presentation, it is not the appropriate time to offer an apology; rather, you should save your apologies for more serious gaffes. Check out the advice that Lily Herman has to offer for ensuring that you are communicating accurately.

28. Get Over Impostor Syndrome

Impostor syndrome is something that may affect any professional, whether they are just beginning their career in a new area or they have been working their way up the corporate ladder at their current business since they graduated.

However, the reality is that it is detrimental to your professional career (not to mention your self-esteem). Here is why you feel this way, as well as some advice on how to overcome this emotion and start seeing yourself as the badass that you really are.

29. Make a Contingency Plan for Your Professional Life

What would you do if you found out tomorrow that you wouldn't have a job? In the event that you do not have an answer (or in the event that your response is "Freak out! Panic! "), it is necessary to prepare a strategy for a professional emergency.

A crisis, such as being fired or having your company go bankrupt, isn't something you ever want to think about, but if it did occur, wouldn't you rather have a ready-to-go action plan than be running around like a crazy person trying to get anyone to hire you? Having a plan in place can help you avoid the stress of scrambling to find a new job. Here is how you can get yours started as quickly as possible.

30. Pick Up a Side Project

Have you ever pondered your potential as a consultant? Have you ever considered launching a shop on Etsy or refurbishing vintage automobiles to resell on the market? Give it a go. At the absolute least, you'll be able to add a little bit of diversity to your day-to-day life, and at most, you may discover a new line of work or source of money. This is how you can fit in extra work on the side.

31. Invest in Your Retirement

We are aware that it may be difficult for you to part with any of your valuable income when you are just starting out in your job. However, savings grow with time, so beginning the process at a young age will result in a significant increase in the amount you have in your senior years (to, you know, live it up on a boat sipping mai tais all day).

The following is a rundown of everything you need prior to getting began.

32. Put Money into Your Own Career

To keep up with the rapid pace of change in the modern working environment, it is essential to constantly broaden your skill set if you want to maintain your position as an industry leader.

Oh, and going to graduate school is not a prerequisite for this at all. The following is a list of 45 free online courses that you may attend in order to include some professional development into your daily routine.

33. Put Your Money in the World

Giving back to the world may take many forms, like lending your expertise to a charity organization that is struggling or serving as a mentor to an entry-level worker. Here are some suggestions that you may not have thought of before.

34. Be Aware of What It Is That You Do Not Want

It's okay if you don't know what you want to be when you grow up by the time you're 35. (or, hey, 95).

But if you want to have a job and profession that you love, it's necessary to at least keep thinking about it—and if you're not actively pursuing it, you should at least keep thinking about it.

And very often, the first step towards understanding what it is that you do want is to determine what it is that you do not want. You don't want a tyrant to be your employer, do you? A sales role? A managerial position? Great. If you eliminate some of the possibilities, then at least you're moving in the right direction.

35. Grant Yourself Permission to Pursue What You Are Interested In

Oh, and if you already know exactly what it is that you want? Get moving in the direction of achieving your goal. It's true that occupations may last a lifetime, but why waste even a single more day not living your life the way you want to? You have our consent. We are hopeful that you have yours as well.