For career success, consider throwing yourself in the deep end

“Stay in your lane.” “That’s not in my wheelhouse.” “I don’t have that skill set.”

These statements all have two things in common. Firstly, they depict the idea that you are niched-off in your career—stuck working in one field and even one role. Secondly, all of these statements restrict growth. In fact, your lane, wheelhouse, and presumed skill set may just be stunting your career trajectory.

I personally am very much in favor of not sticking to your comfort zone and have found great success in stepping out to try new things.

SWITCHING LANES

At the start of my career, I may have told you that the best course of action is to ease yourself into a new role or skill set. Today, I know better. The biggest and most influential shifting point in my career came when I was thrown into the deep end. In retrospect, I may have thrown myself in the deep, but I am so glad that I did. It came down to forcing myself to extend my reach in the industry I was in and, eventually, into other industries. Rather than just focusing on my role, I started to immerse myself in other aspects of the business.

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