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How do you fight the urge to "rest on your laurels" and instead consistently seek to make your company better?

I'm a senior at Georgia Southern University studying finance. I have considered pursuing a career in either financial analysis or financial planning, but I think I'm leaning more toward the analysis route.

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Mitchell’s Answer

Absolutely thrilled to answer this, Nio! A fulfilling career isn't a one-off event. Your past victories should serve as stepping stones, boosting your confidence and propelling you towards new challenges. I've heard it said that the past should be a point of reference, not a dwelling place. It's not healthy to rest on your laurels, just as it's not beneficial to dwell on failures. Life is all about embracing change and progressing at a pace that suits you. Careers follow the same principle.

Remember, the current business environment often asks, "what's your latest achievement?" Your past accomplishments, like securing a multi-million-dollar deal or doubling operational efficiency, will be applauded - but only briefly. After the celebration, the focus shifts to your next move. Success breeds more success. So, never overlook the opportunities that come your way.

Here's to wishing you all the best in your career. Both financial analysis and financial planning can be tough but also incredibly rewarding!
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Paul’s Answer

It is critical to take pride in your work. To add value, to help and collaborate with others, solve problems, and to treat the company as your own. Doing a good job helps you feel fulfilled, gives a sense of self worth and accomplishment. Build habits around these principals and you will not only be helping yourself but it will give you the momentum to resist "resting on your laurels"!!
Thank you comment icon Thank you, Paul! Your answer is incredibly helpful! Have a blessed day! Nio
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Jacob’s Answer

Fighting the urge to "rest on your laurels" and continuously seeking improvement in your career or within your company is a valuable mindset. Here are some strategies to help you maintain that drive:

1. **Set Clear Goals**: Define specific, measurable, and achievable goals for yourself and your company. Having clear objectives gives you a sense of purpose and direction.

2. **Regularly Assess Performance**: Continuously evaluate your performance and that of your company. Conduct self-assessments and performance reviews to identify areas that need improvement.

3. **Embrace Lifelong Learning**: In the field of finance, staying updated with the latest trends, technologies, and regulations is crucial. Invest in your professional development by attending workshops, seminars, and obtaining relevant certifications.

4. **Stay Inquisitive**: Cultivate a curious mindset. Ask questions, seek answers, and challenge the status quo. Explore new ways of doing things and encourage your team to do the same.

5. **Seek Feedback**: Be open to feedback from colleagues, superiors, and clients. Constructive feedback can provide valuable insights into areas where improvement is needed.

6. **Mentorship**: Seek out mentors or advisors who can provide guidance and share their experiences. They can offer fresh perspectives and help you set higher standards.

7. **Continuous Improvement Culture**: Foster a culture of continuous improvement within your company. Encourage employees to identify inefficiencies and propose solutions.

8. **Stay Customer-Centric**: In finance, understanding and meeting the needs of your clients or stakeholders is paramount. Continuously gather feedback from clients to enhance your services.

9. **Benchmarking**: Compare your company's performance with industry benchmarks and competitors. Identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.

10. **Regular Strategic Planning**: Develop and regularly update a strategic plan for your company. This plan should outline your goals and the steps needed to achieve them.

11. **Celebrate Achievements**: While striving for improvement, don't forget to acknowledge and celebrate your successes and milestones. Recognition can boost morale and motivation.

12. **Stay Adaptable**: Recognize that the business environment is dynamic. Be prepared to adapt to changes in the market, technology, and customer preferences.

13. **Delegate Effectively**: As you advance in your career, delegate tasks appropriately to ensure that you have the time and energy to focus on strategic initiatives.

14. **Prioritize Well-Being**: Maintaining a strong work-life balance is essential for sustained motivation. Burnout can hinder your ability to drive improvement.

15. **Accountability**: Hold yourself and your team accountable for achieving goals and adhering to improvement plans.

By adopting these strategies, you can cultivate a mindset of continuous improvement in your career and within your company. Remember that improvement is an ongoing journey, and the willingness to adapt and grow is a valuable asset in the dynamic field of finance.
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Adrienne’s Answer

Simon Sinek suggests that the essence of leadership isn't about generating all the brilliant ideas, but rather fostering an atmosphere where such ideas can naturally emerge. "The role of a leader is not to come up with all the great ideas. The role of a leader is to create an environment in which great ideas can happen."

Here's a valuable piece of guidance from a leadership development program group, inspired by this quote:

Embrace a company-first mentality throughout your workday. Be passionate about the challenges, not just the solutions. Don't limit yourself to internal resources, but actively seek external ones. Lead with a focus on the customer, and maintain a constant thirst for learning. This will keep you both curious and invigorated.

Practice active listening before offering your suggestions. By keeping the customer at the forefront, you'll always be in tune with their evolving needs, which will keep you alert and adaptable. You can't afford to become complacent.

Understanding your personal motivation, your "why", is equally crucial. Try to align your personal goals with the company's mission. This alignment will not only keep you personally motivated but will also contribute to the company's improvement.

Remember, improvement is a marathon, not a sprint. Concentrate on one area of improvement at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed or spreading your efforts too thin. By doing so, you'll be able to maintain focus and authenticity.
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Burde Prerana’s Answer

It really comes down to the vibe of the company. Perks can definitely boost your enthusiasm. If you're passionate about your work, it'll shine through in your everyday tasks. Always aim to grasp something new, it's a great way to break the monotony of your job. Set your targets and regularly check on your own performance. This will ensure you're moving in the right direction towards achieving your goals.
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James Constantine’s Answer

Venture into various sources of knowledge. If you're accustomed to browsing the internet, consider visiting a library instead. Immerse yourself in stories about people's lives and how they've tackled problems. Ever wondered how Einstein developed the theory of relativity? He likely sought inspiration from diverse avenues. So, look in different directions for solutions that can accelerate your work process. Remember, innovation often comes from unexpected places. Keep exploring, keep learning, and keep pushing forward. You'll be amazed at how this can transform your work environment.
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Christina’s Answer

Find someone at your organization who inspires you and ask them how you can help make your organization better. Good leaders take that feedback and run with it. Even better leaders consistently ask for feedback and look to further your development. They will also not take this for granted and seek to put you in the position to give this feedback regularly to help make your organization better. You should always look to make changes and if you feel your feedback is not helping to make the changes necessary, ask why. Always, always ask why :) The best thing that you can do for yourself is accept a job where you believe you will work for a good leader and an organization that consistently asks for feedback and implements it regularly.
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Tina’s Answer

Hi Nio!

First congrats on establishing yourself in your career early on. In my career, the focus was always on how do I help this organization grow. The best organizations have employees who are engaged in their jobs and productive always looking forward. I do think though, things change. Nothing remains the same. So, keeping an eye out for other personal growth opportunities is recommended. Not a serious search, but just remaining open to exciting, new opportunities whether they happen in your current organization or outside of it. Kudos to you for helping your organization be the best!

Tina
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Kale’s Answer

This thread contains some excellent responses, but one piece of advice that hasn't been mentioned yet involves harnessing your innate abilities and interests. During challenging times, it's beneficial to focus on areas where you can utilize your unique skills and passions. By setting small, achievable goals, you can begin to make a difference and build up a sense of motivation. This momentum can then be leveraged towards achieving wider organizational objectives when you're ready.

Additionally, consider using this period as an opportunity to broaden your horizons and acquire new knowledge. This approach will stimulate your curiosity, leading you to discover fresh ideas, skills, or insights. Not only will this refill your motivation reservoir, but it will also provide you with new viewpoints that you'll be eager to implement in your professional life.
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Karen’s Answer

By asking this question, you are already showing that you want to consistently do well. You don't need to always be promoted in order to be successful. Giving your best each day while working or going to school will make a difference.

Think about what might be your priorities in the future -- family, faith, wealth, health, having fun or perhaps all of them. Work toward a balanced life where you feel gratification and that you're giving back to the world.

With every good wish.
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Hello Nio—great question that shows your level of self-awareness early in life. Most people get to that point much later in their careers! Your areas of interest in finance will also prove to be rewarding. Depending on which organization you end up in, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with mentors and observe different styles of work which will allow you to work in teams, collaborate, and perhaps even compete for various recognition aspects that company may have to offer. In a competitive business environment, those that continue to do well naturally create new solutions, which will prevent you from staying stagnant and “resting on your laurels”. Your environment and personal drive will naturally take you in the right direction. Seek out peers you admire and mentors, both formal and informal. You’ll do great!
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Emma’s Answer

Hi Nio,

Fighting the temptation to rest on your laurels and consistently striving to make your company better involves embracing the philosophy of Kaizen, which emphasizes continuous improvement. To implement this approach effectively, it's crucial to foster a culture of ongoing enhancement within your organization. This means encouraging all employees to actively participate in identifying areas for improvement, setting clear and measurable improvement goals, and regularly reviewing processes for inefficiencies and bottlenecks.

Leadership commitment is paramount in driving this culture, as leaders should set an example by actively engaging in improvement initiatives. Moreover, promoting a customer-centric approach, staying agile in response to market changes, and celebrating even small wins can motivate and empower your team to continually seek enhancements. Kaizen isn't a one-time effort; it's a commitment to perpetual refinement and adaptation, ensuring your company remains competitive, efficient, and aligned with customer needs in a dynamic business environment.
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Roel’s Answer

It's always crucial to keep growing, both personally and professionally. By consistently learning and staying updated with the latest industry trends, you'll be able to pinpoint where to invest your time and energy effectively. While it's tempting to just sit back and relax, remember that the path to success often involves going the extra mile. As you strive to better yourself, your company will naturally reap the benefits. Keep pushing forward and never stop learning, because continuous growth is the key to success.
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Katherine’s Answer

I would say, as the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People reminds, sometimes the reason we really feel like resting on our laurels is because we really need to take a second and breathe! Sharpen the saw--you can only keep plugging away for so long if you don't slow down sometimes and do something different so that you will have energy and vision for going forward.
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Victoria’s Answer

Hi Nio! Great question. I have found in my career that the point when I am tempted to start 'resting on my laurels' generally means that it is time to switch things up from a career perspective. This doesn't necessarily mean changing career or company, but signifies a need to pivot to take on more stretching tasks or different challenges. Reflecting on what is making you feel like that really helps, and then making a 'wish list' of what you want to do/change can help drive you in a different direction. Multi-national organisations have a lot of scope to accommodate changes e.g. doing some sort of rotational programme to try out a different area of the business. I think it is important to keep working on your career and your goals throughout your working life, careers are dynamic and it is crucial to make time to think about what you want to do next and how to shape your future.
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Cindy’s Answer

This is an excellent question that frequently arises for individuals who have been in a position for an extended period. I'm convinced that being a lifelong learner is essential, always striving to comprehend future trends in the world and your specific industry or role to maintain your relevance.

Just as crucial is to consistently evaluate your performance, the business outcomes, and the trends in your field. Employing data analytics and conducting business reviews with precise, actionable plans can sometimes assist in realigning your priorities and rejuvenating your drive.

It's vital to question the norm and surround yourself with individuals who challenge the "why" and "how." This approach will push you and others to embrace innovation and creativity. I'm a firm believer that if your current role isn't providing a challenge or fostering learning, it's probably time to contemplate your next move so you can continue to be a significant contributor in your organization.

Acting as a catalyst for change and being willing to step out of your comfort zone will aid you in viewing things from a different perspective.
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