STAGES OF CAREER GROWTH

There are four stages of career growth: Skills, Expertise, Structure and Legacy.

Skills: At this stage, you're aggressively developing your knowledge and abilities. You typically don't have much disposable income. This is because after meeting your basic expenses, if you're wise, you spend what's left on additional certifications, degrees and cultural exposure.

Expertise: Now you're a high earning professional. You've parlayed your skills into a great paying role or business and you are in demand. Your focus is maximizing your productive years and reaping the fruit of earlier investments in self-development.

You often work late and travel a lot, depending on the role. For instance, for management consultants, this is when you double down on making partner.

Structure: At this point, your intention is to translate your earnings into enduring investments and assets. If you're an entrepreneur, you're obsessed with putting in place systems & structures; and with hiring competent staff, so you're not the only rainmaker or executor. You're trying to free up time and to scale up the business so you can pursue greater ideas and opportunities.

Legacy: Your businesses or investments are now running like well-oiled machines. You have enough to live on and so you work because you enjoy it, not because you need the money. The main focus are mission and purpose - doing big things and tackling hard problems. It could also be family or prioritizing joy.

It's useful for everyone to identify what stage of career they are in. And, what is needed to move to the next one.