Getting into Gear: How to achieve the unachievable


 

I think it’s fair to say most of us have started this New Year with the usual resolution-based outlook on what we can change, what we can achieve and what we would like this year to bring. But just how many of you have set achievable goals? How many people actually tick off all the boxes? And just how long do the resolutions stay in your mind?

Goals are the best way to set your mood and motivation – whether it’s personal or career orientated… resolutions give you a great sense of passion and help to keep your mood in a happy state.

It’s when we come to assess our achievements that trouble sometimes hits… based on this we’ve come up with the essential guide on kick-starting your new year, into a new gear, and really getting what you want out of life.

Much like the gearstick in motor vehicle, the fail proof process to get your aspirations in order is to build up in stages… until you are ready to move into the fast lane, swoop through and pick up your achievements along the way.

First Gear: Revving up.

Probably the hardest gear to grasp, but once firmly in place, this stage will set the path for the rest of the process to follow.

Assessing your position is key… write a list of what you want to achieve, but also think about why you want these things… what’s the bigger picture, where’s your destination? Thinking about how you are going to get from A to B and what you need to get there is key. You wouldn’t start out on a journey with no petrol, oil or water in the car, so why would you decide to embark on a new career without the appropriate skills. The important thing to remember is not to set yourself up for a fall.

If you hit the road with a car that’s not been MOT’d the chances of breaking down are higher, the same goes for applying for a new job, without all of the skills required. Assess what you personally have to offer and seek advice from experts in the field. If it is career advice you are seeking, why not get in touch with one of our course advisors who would be happy to give you a free career evaluation and point you in the direction of the options available to you.

Take a systematic approach to planning out what you want to achieve, and how you will hit those targets. Don’t set yourself up with unachievable goals and timeframes. If you manage your own expectations, you’ll be much happier in the long run.

Second to Fourth Gears: Getting up to speed

The importance of building up to your achievements in stages, much like building up speed in a car, is essentially the only route to actually making things happen for you.

If you’re looking for a new career, the benefits of practical skills based training; higher salary, better career prospects, efficient skills to let you leave work on time (to name just a few), outweigh any potential angsts you may initially have. Investing in your personal development is the best way to ensure you get the most out of your career.

Looking at your options for funding, financial support or training funding from your employer and payment plans are the first areas to look into once you have selected the right training to match your chosen career path, which again, we can help you with.

With a range of opportunities available to suit your learning style, time should not factor as an issue to helping you really take the plunge into achieving your goals. Pitman Training offers flexible learning centred around your needs… study; full-time, part-time, from work in your lunch break, from the comfort of your home, in one of our centres or a combination of the above. Our training options mean that learning online, distance learning or tutor led seminars are all possibilities, to help fit the style of learning that will ensure your success and enable you to make those moves.

Once you’re under way with adapting your skillset, you’re already ahead of the competition… the next bits easy.

Fifth Gear: Passing the finish line

This is when you really start to see results, whether you’re looking for career progression or a complete career change, you should now have the skills you need to get you there. Get in touch with local recruiters and firms that you’re interested in working with, or contact your nearest Pitman Training Centre, who can put you in touch with recruiters specialising in your area of interest. Pitman Training also offers FREE CV advice, interview technique sessions and gives guidance on dressing for success… together, these elements will help you to maximise your confidence and present yourself in the best light to employers.

All that’s left is the winning!

Let us know what your career resolutions are by commenting below and you could be in with a chance of winning a course from our self-development range*.

*Terms and Conditions apply.

Winners will be picked at random. Closing date for entries is 30th April 2013. Winners will be notified no later than 10th May 2013. Course choice is subject to winners requirements; a full list of options will be supplied with winners notification.

 

author: Pitman Training | posted @ Friday, February 08, 2013 3:16 PM | Feedback (10)

Celebrating 200 years: Efficiency, Empowerment and Employment The legacy of Sir Isaac Pitman


True to his word, Sir Isaac Pitman spent his ‘well-arranged’ life working to improve the efficiency and productivity of the office workforce. Leading by example, his robust career history is testament to this: astronomy lecturer, temperance worker, preacher, president of the vegetarian society, and most notably the creator of Pitman Shorthand – which he developed further with the introduction of Pitman secretarial colleges.

author: Pitman Training | posted @ Thursday, January 03, 2013 10:26 AM | Feedback (4)

The great British brand... 175 years in the making


As 2012 and our special anniversary year draws to a close, it’s time to reflect. What makes a great brand? What equates to heritage? There’s been many a paper written on this and many a marketer has tackled this question. We believe it’s a combination of many factors - layers that build up to make a brand and then consistency in message, and delivery upon promises.

author: Pitman Training | posted @ Wednesday, December 19, 2012 11:32 AM | Feedback (0)

What’s your ‘type-face’


Clearly, we have entered the ‘Digital’ era… Smartphones, tablet PC’s, touchscreens and voice recognition – we’re finally in the swing of futuristic technological flair. This got us thinking… How many times have you watched someone walking down the street, head in phone, concentrating on quickly typing a text or email on their touchscreen or keypad? Granted, some have this down to a fairly neat art, whilst others have their ‘concentration’ face (tongue poking out of mouth, with a furrowed brow

author: Pitman Training | posted @ Thursday, November 08, 2012 9:57 AM | Feedback (0)

Guest Blog: One of Two Questions…by Josephine Green


I’ve been lucky enough to work for a succession of lovely people who also happen to be in the public eye. When people find out what I do, they usually ask one of two questions: 1) How did you get that job? 2) What’s it like working for them?

author: Pitman Training | posted @ Thursday, October 25, 2012 10:56 AM | Feedback (0)

Super Achievers – Could it be you?


With Olympic glory still very much in our minds, and our successes on this world stage bringing a strong glow of pride for us Brits, there’s been a renewed euphoria around achieving great things. We all know that the business leaders of this world achieve great things. We have now been reminded that we have an array of sports people who achieve great things, but very rarely to do we stop to honour others, who are just going about their everyday work but who are also achieving their goals in l

author: Pitman Training | posted @ Friday, October 12, 2012 1:29 PM | Feedback (1)

Guest Blog: Baby Boom, Business Brain by Claire Young


Baby Boom, Business Brain I've been quite busy since writing my last column. My greatest achievement to date happened in June, my daughter arrived! Eva Mary Rainbow (named after her Great Grandmas and Grandma) was born on June 20th after a somewhat difficult pregnancy so she really was a labour of love. I'm often asked about women in business, balancing the boardroom with motherhood and I've replied 'come back to me once I have a baby and then I'll know' - so here I am laptop next to changing

author: Pitman Training | posted @ Tuesday, September 04, 2012 3:37 PM | Feedback (0)

Unleashing your Superpower!


This month we’ve been examining the multi-tasking role of office PA’s. Far from the stereotypical, ‘60’s bimbo, often portrayed in the past, many of today’s PA’s keep the foundation and day-to-day running of businesses running. We’ve done a lot of research over the years, honing our training programmes and agree there are some key areas that must be covered in order to work in this role. Skills including financial planning, advanced office administration, enhanced communication, problem solv

author: Pitman Training | posted @ Friday, August 17, 2012 3:33 PM | Feedback (0)

When comic strip becomes reality...


'Earth's mightiest heroes', The Avengers, have recently hit the cinema again with the likes of the Hulk, Black Widow, Captain America, Iron Man and Thor joining forces to fight the biggest foe they’ve ever faced. They've changed slightly from their 1960's make-up, adapting and evolving to suit the modern world and there’s been much hype around how the characters have been refined. However, what still remains are their key skills, very clear identities and very clear roles to play within their te

author: Pitman Training | posted @ Tuesday, August 07, 2012 9:54 AM | Feedback (1)

Pressure to Perform…Tips from the Top by Colin Jackson


As I’ve been working with Pitman over the last few months and travelled to various locations around the country, I’ve got chatting to people about their jobs. As they spoke of pressures at work, the common theme that came up again and again was stress. The stress caused by taking on a colleague’s workload who has been made redundant; the stress caused by trying to constantly impress to secure your own job; the stress of constantly trying to be the best. When the pressure’s on and you’re under

author: Pitman Training | posted @ Monday, July 23, 2012 3:36 PM | Feedback (1)

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