As a career-driven woman about to hit my mid-30s, I’m beginning to panic a bit.

I have stories inside my head that I should be doing more, making more, have a bigger network, have a bigger job, be saving lives and changing the world – and loving every minute of it. After all, I’ve spent over a decade building my career. And let’s be honest: we only have so many working years to get ahead and “make something of ourselves.”

While we’re all on our own journey and everyone’s different, I have to pause and take a deep breath, reminding myself that I’m right where I’m supposed to be. I’ve worked hard to get here. I’ve made many sacrifices. I’ve fully shown up day after day, year after year. I have a great career, I’m challenged and I get to do what I love every day. So I should consider myself lucky, right?

But that’s where I get stuck. That’s where comparison creeps in. That’s when I get swept back into the cycle of “I should be doing more, making more, have a bigger network, have a bigger job, be saving lives and changing the world.”

Wanting to constantly make progress – and see it and feel it – I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself to perform over the years. And through a bit of self-reflection, I’ve realized that this is perhaps exactly what’s causing the panic. The self-imposed pressure to perform. To be more and do more. And that’s why, this year, I want to take a new perspective on my career and get back to the basics.

What’s Happened to Corporate America?  

So out of curiosity, I do what most do: Head to the Great Google to ask what to do with my life, my career, to ask the Great Oz how to proceed. But what’s odd to me, however, is that the “advice” you read about on the web for us “normal gals” trying to get ahead in Corporate America is often lacking clarity, is simply unhelpful, or is filled with a bunch of lofty sentiments that don’t really apply in the real world. Or apply to me, at least.

And with all of the advice and groups out there for women entrepreneurs – and their rah-rah attitude for getting ahead in the world of entrepreneurship, what I find is that there’s not enough people out there really cheering for the life-long career girl – for those who want to work in Corporate America and really enjoy that challenge. Why is this? Is working in Corporate America something to be frowned upon nowadays? It seems so given this new era where anyone can start a business and is encouraged to do so instead of “working for the man.”

From my perspective, the advice, support and leadership for women who choose a corporate career is simply lacking. In a way, I feel if you’re not pursuing a side-gig with hopes of making it a full-blown business, that you’re forgotten about and not worthy. You’re just another cog in the wheel trying to get by, day by day, to earn a paycheck and nothing more.

Back to the Basics

With the panic setting in, and the constant pressure to perform and compare, and wonder whether I’m really good enough, I want to revisit the basics. I want to reassess the advice that I’d give myself if I was just starting out again as a fresh college graduate with wide-eyed wonder of the possibilities and opportunities. Reassess what it takes to get ahead, get noticed and make an impact.

So what would I tell the 21-year-old Heather knowing what I know now? All the things she needs to hear given the self-imposed panic of entering the mid-term of her career. Here are 10 ways I’m revisiting the basics this year.

Ask for what you want, and communicate it clearly. If you don’t ask for what you want – and make it known – chances are, others won’t read your mind. Know where you want to go, have a plan to get there and tell those who matter. This is the only way to make progress; otherwise you’re just waiting on others to take notice and take action.

Explore your craft. It’s said often, but you really have to constantly learn and grow. Read blogs, take courses, get certifications and dig deep into your craft. Write about it, demonstrate your expertise and get your perspective out into the world. Make it known to others that you really do know what you’re talking about.

Make relationships a priority. In business, just as in life, relationships are paramount. Success is much more about the relationships you can build and the connections you make with humans – rather than skill or expertise. Know how to work with others, what makes them tick, and change your approach for who you’re working with or trying to get through to.

Find ways to go above and beyond. Be creative in how you approach different tasks and projects. Find small ways to always go the extra mile – focus on how you can not only be helpful, but make things easier for those around you. It will not go unnoticed.

Get uncomfortable every day. If you’re not uncomfortable or challenged, then you’re not growing and learning. Don’t be afraid to take on projects that are outside of your comfort zone or things you haven’t done before. Take on more than you think you can handle. When we’re pushed to understand new concepts and do different things, this is where we’ll gain confidence to do it again and take on even more next time.

Lean into your expertise. Know what you’re really good at – whether small and trivial or big and strategic – and make yourself known for it. Even if it’s outside of what’s in your “job description.” Over time, you’ll be seen as an expert for this particular area and others will come to you for advice and input, and you’ll inevitably provide more value to the organization.

Be the change you want to see. Stop complaining, nit-picking, and if something isn’t working, fix it. Often waiting on others to recognize and fix the problem leads to resentment and unhappiness. So if you want to see something approached differently, or if you feel there’s an underlying issue that needs to be fixed, speak up sooner than later and do something about it.

Present yourself as confident and capable. Confidence is everything – it’s the way you hold yourself, the tone in your voice, the way you speak and how you say it. Oftentimes, it’s really not what we say, but how it’s delivered. To be viewed as a capable and confident person, you have to portray this in all of your interactions – big and small.

Take criticism and feedback seriously. Points of growth often come from setbacks and mistakes. Some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned have been the direct result of a mistake – or misstep. Listen to feedback, be open to criticism, and use it as fuel to be better and do better. And, please, never take it personally.

Lift others up, and focus on their success. While we’re all so focused on ourselves and what we can do/provide/change/be, it really all comes down to serving others and helping them succeed. Whether it’s a small gesture of offering help, celebrating wins or giving others the opportunity to shine, lean in to how you can help others get ahead. After all, it’s not a competition. We’re all on our own path.

Being OK With the Journey... and Even Enjoying It

What career advice would you give yourself knowing what you know now? How can you change your perspective and approach today to insert renewed vigor into what you do? In what ways can you look at things differently and get past what’s holding you back?

For me, this year, it’s about getting back to the basics. Limiting comparison. Focusing on my own journey. And enjoying the path I’ve chosen: Working in Corporate America and knowing that’s the right choice for me.