The Physics of Change: Avoiding Inertia with Professional Development

Originally posted on LinkedIn. View LinkedIn post here.

You’re no doubt familiar with Newton’s First Law of Inertia: that an object at rest remains at rest while an object in motion remains in motion unless acted on by an outside force. This timeless truth can also be applied to a vast array of human experiences.

How Inertia sets in

There is a transformation that can take place, for instance, when we begin to feel comfortable, or “at rest”, in our careers that unfortunately isn't always a positive one. I find with clients that - while acquiring confidence, expertise, and skills - they've often acquired a comfortable complacency as well. It’s inertia that can go unnoticed and unchecked, until there’s an issue or a need, like forced job change or even the boredom that many seasoned executives have shared with me.

Newton was onto something when it comes to career growth and movement: success is not something that we arrive at when all the work is finished. Instead, long-lasting career achievement and advancement rely on and are fueled by motion, by an impetus that “remains in motion.” It is effort throughout the lifetime of your work life, and an ever-changing and ever-growing one at that.

Make momentum your priority

It begins with a commitment to networking. According to studies, it’s estimated that up to 80% of jobs are filled through networking, and that an upwards of 70% of all jobs are not publicly available on job search sites. Deloitte’s Future of Work anticipates that job seekers will increasingly need to rely on networking to find work.

Networking can include both online and offline efforts. The minute it takes to connect with someone on LinkedIn is small step but it’s a step: the key is that you move forward with purpose and meaning. A professional network commonly includes past employers and colleagues, others within your field, and/or potential vendors and other resources. It may also include current and past mentors, advisors and former teachers.

Think outside your field and ask yourself: What areas are you interested in? Who are you interested in meeting? How can you learn something new? Try something new? As well who do you feel fascinated by, what would you like to learn from them and importantly what do you bring to the table? Anything that enriches your thinking, stretches you, keeps you engaged is forward motion because interesting people can open doors, make introductions, and broaden horizon for you.

Create the outside force

Another way to “lean forward” is by creating your own personal professional Board of Directors. Be thoughtful about who you include: you’ll need to nurture and spend time on these relationships. Staying flexibly engaged is important because this group can and will change based the different stages of your professional development and success.

Keep growing

Still too comfortable? Professional development should also include continued education to develop and up-level your skills, remain current on new innovations, and grow your knowledge base. This can/should be on what you need to know next, for that promotion or new role you are focused on. Not only can you tap online education through platforms like Coursera and EdEx for courses from some of the most prestigious universities and schools in the country, there are also a multitude of certifications you can gain from major corporations, including Google and IBM. Many companies offer stipends for continued education–if they do, never leave it on the table.

Be an object in motion

To sum up my philosophy on professional development briefly, remember Isaac Newton: start, discover, create, fuel, and most important: stay in motion!