At times it happens that one lands up in a job where one experiences lack of opportunities to grow professionally. So how does one motivate oneself and rise like a phoenix?

Shared in this article are points that in my opinion puts one above the rest when the surrounding environment is not so favourable. Even if you are satisfied with your job on a personal level but are looking to create further opportunities on a professional level (beyond the scope of your current role), then continue reading.

1. Set very high standards for yourself.

Keep in mind that you cannot expect others to guide you on the path of nirvana all the time. Rather it is YOU who will have to lead the way. From a Junior Resource to a Senior Specialist, you have to remain committed towards excellence.

I personally feel it is easier to convince others of your vision when you do a live demonstration of your own activities, rather than trying to convince them about something by narrating stories.

-oOo-How I implement this -oOo-

1. For every code that I write, I make use of the following methodologies – desired functionalities performed, performance, detailed exception handling, devising all possible outcomes possible w.r.t. user input, preventing data leaks, ease of use, optimal memory storage.
2. The PL/SQL best practices article is based on what I follow.
3. While using software’s I pick out the better elements. It could be User Interface, or optimization for low speed devices, or overall ease of use, or unique functionalities provided, or optimal use of device features, or way with which the application stores data.

2. Share your knowledge.

They say that the ones who donate money seldom become poor. Similar analogy applies to knowledge too, the more one shares the more one learns. IMO sharing knowledge with others makes one feel confident of his/her concepts and does benefit to the recipients as well.

When I wrote my first technical article on this site, one prime motive was that in case later on I forget these things then it’d be easier for me to recapitulate them.

If your article gets published via some leading tech journal, then that’s an icing on the cake. Making a full time career out of writing is a nice alternative to traditional career path in IT, but that’s everyone won’t do, including the author of this article.

-oOo- How I implement this -oOo-

1. I shared some self-composed assets within the internal repository of my organization which were based on few articles from this site.
2. Conducted sessions for teams based on stuff I had learned. Makes me happy that there are more number of people on the same page as me.
3. My comments in code contain info which I feel could be of use to another resource in case I have switched on to another project.

3. Expand your network beyond office.

Surround yourself with smart people. There is a difference when people around you discuss stuff like the recent algorithms they read about; versus those whose prime focus is when, where and how to have a “good time”.

*-* If for some unfortunate reason you do not find such people in your office, then explore them elsewhere.
*-* Go find out that topper of your school / college and observe what they are up to.
*-* Remain in touch with your ex-colleagues who are doing the kind of work that fascinates you.
*-* Ask your family / close friends about their trusted acquaintances in your field and request them for an introduction.
*-* Add relevant people on LinkedIn but be cautious over adding them on Facebook.

-oOo- How I implement this -oOo-

1. I am in touch with my college friends who are in IT sector. We share new tech stuff and insights on what’s going on around us.
2. When I make a new contact via some personal connection, I remain in touch with them. It doesn’t mean I have to work with them some day; my intention is that I can learn a thing or two from them or they have info that could be of use to someone around me. Like job vacancies in their organization, where I can refer ex-colleagues or acquaintances.
3. Getting a recommendation from a contact on LinkedIn is a bonus. Means not something one should do all the time, but if it seems viable then no harm in getting that done.

4. Discover new avenues.

The work that you get in office is something that you inherited. But what you crave for yourself is what maps the road ahead.

*-* Follow the right set of people on twitter who tweet professional stuff rather than random blabber.
*-* Subscribe to news feeds of prominent tech journals.
*-* Find out the leading people in your profession and Google their articles / blogs / wikis.
*-* Explore books related to your field on Junglee / Kindle and buy them if they appear attractive.

-oOo- How I implement this -oOo-

1. Some of the people I follow on Twitter includes a leading Oracle expert, an IT architect, an author of programming books, and a leading tech journalist.
2. I have subscribed to news feeds of not only my organization but competitors also so that I know what they are up to.
3. Reading Tom Kyte’s responses on his web site taught me Oracle RDBMS much more than what I learned at college.
4. Time to time I keep reading anecdotes on Bill Gates. He was one reason why I chose IT as my career. Since the revival of Apple, I read stories on Steve Jobs too. I do not belong to any camp, for me both Microsoft as well as Apple are doing a fabulous job.
5. My laptop is stuffed with e-books and technical articles legally procured from the Internet. Makes it easier for me to refer stuff and practice revision.

 

5. Side projects.

When not in office, you can utilize resources for developing something that would provide creative satisfaction.

It could be anything. An Android app, a Facebook game, video tutorials, Operating System utility, etc. Something that is beyond the scope of work assigned to you in office. It would not only make you feel inspired but also put a mark on your resume.

-oOo- How I implement this -oOo-

1. When in school/college, I did side projects that later on helped add weight to my resume during campus selection.
2. Few years ago I coded a small game in PL/SQL in which I made my friends participate and it was fun sharing their “performance” results. It strengthened my Database concepts.
3. As I type this, I am working on a side project in my spare time. Won’t divulge further details, all I’d say is that I am grateful to be in a situation where I can do this.

6. Positivity.

Be very comfortable with what you are doing. Avoid getting stressed out.

You could be in a terrible situation, doing work that you do not enjoy, with people who do not make you feel comfortable, in a condition that is anything but favourable. In such moments don’t forget the “this too shall pass” adage. The present might be uncomfortable for you, but a day will come when you will remember less of how the days were and more of how you dealt with them.

No one can inspire you better than you yourself. Anyone can excel in a positively favourable situation. The real deal is to sail through when the winds are blowing in opposite direction.

It is now, or never.

“In an oral viva, examiner asks difficult questions only to those whom he knows that they can answer. Similarly god asks difficult questions only to those whom he knows that they can answer.” – Dr. Rishi Kumar Arya (translated from another language).