Making the leap from your 9-to-5 without a plan is a sure-fire way to find yourself in the middle of a troubled situation. Take simple steps, such as developing a plan with goals, to be prepared. For example, when I was working as a Project Manager, I was daydreaming about life beyond the cubicle. As a result, I started looking at ways to get involved and stand out in my industry before I stepped out on my own. I began speaking at industry conferences to begin building my brand. I also started to position myself as an expert in the industry, and I chose a niche on Agile Project Management. Organize yourself so that your work fits that mantra and you’ll find your work days much more productive than if you were chipping away at ten larger tasks. Focus on what matters so you can make sure your time and energy are always spent working proactively toward your goals.
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Maria Matarelli is a columnist for Inc Magazine. Maria writes for the Agile Insights column. She is the Founder and President of Formula Ink and Co-founder of the Agile Marketing Academy. Maria has achieved more than 16 industry certifications and leads a team of experienced consultants and trainers to lead businesses to achieve breakthrough results. Published author of the book, Workaholic? A 12-step guide to having a life and getting things done. Maria invites people to push past limiting beliefs and discover how to live the life they’ve always dreamed of.