Today’s post is written by Agata Hegarty, an HR Professional with more than five years of experience in Human Resources. You can find more of her writing on her new blog – Changing Lanes-Figuring Out Career.

I have been reading about future-proofing careers for a while now. While reading books, blogs, and articles, it hit me – what can I do NOW to future proof my career and a have happy life? I am a big believer that we should be proactive and make life happen the way we want it to instead of just reacting to what life throws at us.

So, I started writing down my thoughts, ideas, and observations. It is not exactly what you would find in a business book but rather a mixture of my life experiences with a little common sense.  Enjoy!

How to Future Proof Your Career

1. Identify your strengths and values. Focus on what you are good at and understand what motivates you.

2. Choose the lifestyle you want. Understand that the choice of your career will determine your lifestyle. Are you really willing to work 60 hours per week?

3. Improve your learning skills. Accept the fact that if you want to be successful, we all have to be life-long learners … no matter what.

4. Read as much as possible. “It isn’t what the book costs. It’s what it will cost you if you don’t read it.” – Jim Rohn.

5. Connect with people. Networking is the best way to learn, share, improve and create in this world.

6. Travel the world. Give yourself confidence, understand diverse cultures and look at this world through a different lens.

7. Invest in learning languages. Communicating in more than one language is a necessity. Master a language and a new world will open to you.

8. Strive to become an expert in something. The world is becoming more and more automated. The future needs experts, not generalists.

9. Don’t compromise. Know what you want and go for it.

10. Don’t let your income lead you. Choose your career, not your income. Money as the main motivator will only lead you so far.

11. Look for a job that involves doing something that you love.  Even if it is only a small part of your job, it will help you through the hard times.

12. Make sure that you will be working with people that stimulate and challenge you. “We are the average of the five people we spend the most time with” (Jim Rohn). So choose wisely.

13. A job is a stepping stone, not a destination. You don’t have to stay in the same job for the rest of your life.  The average person has many different careers throughout their lifetime.

14. Change your employer every few years. This will enable you to gravitate more towards your passion, update your skills and get a different perspective.

15. Learn from people on all levels. Appreciate diversity of views and get holistic approach.

What are your tips to future proof your career?