Structure Helps Creativity

When we try to imagine the most creative people, it’s common to think of an artsy person in a messy space full of all their different ideas. Someone working in a tidy and well-organized space is often stereotyped as very conventional and analytical, maybe even a bit boring, but certainly not creative. Interestingly, being well organized can not only facilitate creativity, but also provide an environment that enables deep focus; a highly creative initial idea doesn’t get anywhere without the ability to sustain focus and think through all the details needed to support the idea’s real-world success. While overly rigid procedures and thinking can stifle creativity, too much clutter, either physical or mental, creates so much noise that it’s hard to stop jumping between things long enough for a good idea to emerge.

Prepare to Become a Mentor

In the early weeks and months of your new, better paying job, you’ll be learning a lot from others who have been in the organization longer than you have. These people are your mentors, even if they don’t formally hold that title. Learn from these people to help you get proficient at your job, but also learn from them with an eye toward how you will help others learn in the future. While you can’t rush becoming a mentor or try to become one by a specific deadline, the time to start preparing for mentorship is now, as you never know when you’ll need to be ready to provide mentorship to someone coming up behind you!

Certifications for Career Advancement

Earning a certification related to your planned career path is a great way to demonstrate knowledge to colleagues and future employers. If you’re looking to get into a career field, getting a relevant certification shows that you have at least basic relevant knowledge and are serious about working in it. As you consider whether getting certified could help you reach your career goals, factor in the prior experience, time, and effort required to study for and pass the test(s). Also look at the financial cost and renewal cycle for maintaining your certification. Make sure you’re getting the right certification for your career by discussing your thoughts with others in your network, especially those in your chosen field, who can either confirm you’re on the right track or recommend something that might be better.