Friday's Career Rocket Fuel: Newton's First Law & Career Development

Newton's First Law of Motion applies to career development as well the physics of an object in motion. 

Newton's First Law

An object in motion stays in motion and an object at rest stays at rest unless an outside force acts on it.

How does this law of physics apply to your career?  Pretty much the same way. I often tell people it's the difference between an "intentional career" and a "career by accident". Unless you, an outside force, are acting on your career development actively your career will just move along at its own pace, which is usually slowly and topping out quickly. Similarly, if you are unemployed (at rest), you remain unemployed until you actively are acting to change the situation. The greater the force you apply to finding a job and developing your career the faster your career will go. Finally, if you are continually developing your career you are applying an outside for and accelerating.

What forces can you apply to your career to get it moving faster or change its direction? Here are a few:

• Personal Branding
• Resume Branding
• Develop & Write Your Career Strategy
• Engage in Continuous Learning and Development
• Get Feedback From Others
• Find a Mentor
• Hire a Coach

How does Newton's First Law apply to your career development? What forces are you going to start applying now?