Do you want to relaunch your career with more power and momentum than ever before? Are you ready to build the focused and productive career you know you're capable of — one that will provide you with great satisfaction and financial reward? Did you believe that you were finally going to "get it right" in previous career transitions?

More than 75% of adults who attempt to realign their careers lose momentum and give up within a few months. Many people are waiting for their jobs to improve, hoping that things will improve someday. But deep down, we know one thing for certain. Careers do not improve on their own. We have many years of work experience to back this up!

So the pressing question is: What distinguishes this transition from previous attempts to exert control over your career? The simple answer is to take stock, plan, and act!

You have the ability and power to take control of your career! The eight principles listed below will provide you with the tools you need to conduct an honest and effective "internal audit" of your career situation.

1Recognize that success is not an accident, but rather a deliberate event

• Most people spend more time planning their vacations than they do planning their careers.

• Many people believe they lack discipline or are lazy, but the true problem is one of knowledge.

• Career changes take time, and it is critical to understand the components that produce the desired results.

2Recognize that you are solely responsible for your career

• Accepting full responsibility for your career and the amount of control you have over your success are inextricably linked.

• When you accept responsibility and feel in control, you have more personal freedom, power, and motivation.

• Make no excuses for the problems in your workplace. Commit to owning what you create in your career.

3Paint a detailed picture of your ideal job

• We must first clarify our career direction in order to move forward effectively.

• This principle is best expressed in a quote by Brian Tracy, a popular motivational speaker: "Eighty percent of success is knowing who you are, what you believe in, and what you want."

• The first requirement is to define what "success" means to each of us — professionally, financially, personally, and socially.

• We are frequently "handed down" definitions of success from our families or cultures — definitions that may not align with our own needs and desires, but to which we remain devoted. We must consciously assess these "messages" to see if they are beneficial to us.

4Establish specific goals based on your own definition of professional success

• Identifying meaningful goals and then making them a reality is one measure of success.

• Goals that are clearly defined provide focus, direction, and positive energy, and they allow you to create an action plan.

5Recognize that in order to achieve results, you must take action.

• The only difference between someone who has dreams and someone who makes dreams a reality is action.

• Our actions are the result of a decision to change our circumstances.

• Make the phone call, write the letter, have that important conversation, resolve that nagging issue — don't put it off any longer.

• Clarify the actions you can take to advance your career.

• Determine one immediate action step you can take to advance your career.

7Network with successful people

• The group of colleagues and friends with whom you associate is the single most powerful force in your environment.

• If you want to be successful, you should only hang out with successful people.

• Spend time with respected role models and determine which characteristics you want to emulate.

• Look for ways to "plant" these success habits in your own life.

• Work with a qualified Career Consultant or a professional development program to help you with your career plans and provide a structure to help you achieve your objectives.

• Associate with like-minded people who are also committed to reaching their full potential in their careers and who will "stand behind you" in your pursuit of true success.

8Makeover your image.

• Make a concerted and consistent effort to present yourself in the best possible light.

Inquire how you can improve your abilities in the following areas.

• Hair Eyeglasses
• Makeup
• Hands
• Clothes
• Shoes
• Accessories
• Posture
• Speech
• Smile

Now is an excellent time to pause and assess your career. Your current situation is the result of decisions you made in the last 5 to 10 years. Where do you see yourself in a year? Will you be proud of the achievements you've made, or will you find yourself in the same professional situation you're in now?

You can dramatically improve your career by following the eight principles listed above — but only if you truly commit to making it happen through planned, effective action!

Thank you for following through with me!