The one thing that has propelled my earning potential

There's one thing that's made the biggest difference when it comes to my current earnings.

It's not my ruggedly handsome good looks (although it was nice of you to think so).

You could say that working hard has paid it's part, especially in the first couple of years of my career but it has not been the biggest factor.

To quantify it I would say working hard whilst at work has contributed around 10% of what I earn. However hard work matters little if it's not being noticed and matters even less if it's being noticed but by the wrong person.

Let's give an example of this.

 You've asked your boss for more responsibility, good for you! What you didn't realise is now you have to do your current job and the new work as well. So you start working late. Ok, this is bad, but surely you tell yourself this is only for the short term to show your boss what you've got in the tank and then they will give you the promotion you deserve and you can take that money to the bank sucker! So who else is there seeing you work late? Well there's the janitor and a few other colleagues who all look tired and caffeine dependent.

This goes on for a few weeks until you hand a piece of work into your boss. A few days later he calls you into a meeting, as they're a nice person they wanted to tell you privately that the big promotion has gone to Sally in purchasing as they've noticed a decline in your work and to be honest you look tired and that's not the look the higher ups want to see.

Epic fail. The strategy you used, working longer/ harder back fired, you worked yourself into a hole and lost the promotion because of it.

So whats the main reason I've been able to triple my earnings in only a few short years?

Studying has probably brought me the biggest rewards. Joining a relevant chartered institute has really propelled my career forward.

It's brought me respect - people recognise this qualification as being one difficult to gain, they presume I worked hard to get it (I did!).

A lot of my peers have a similar qualification, this brings familiarity, they believe that I must be like them, people like people who are similar to themselves.

They know I'm willing to work hard for a long time. As above it was a battle to complete the requirements for this qualification with lots of exams spanning almost 2 years which was the fast track route it normally takes 3-4 years.

Whilst I admit it was hard going, it is the most rewarding thing I could have done at the time.

Looking back I wish I had done it earlier in my career and I could reap the rewards for a lot longer.

Other than that I can't put my self down I worked hard and chose the right option and it worked out well for me.

What things have you done to boost your career? What have I not done that I should have done by now?

The shopping hobby

What are your hobbies? Video games, scalextric, football, couch surfing?

I'm pretty happy to count some of these and more as hobbies I enjoy, along with some healthier ones!

One hobby I cannot abide though is shopping. Now I don't count shopping in general as abominable but shopping when there is no purpose.

I'm not exactly sure when shopping started becoming a hobby, it was probably something to do with the startling 1950's after the frugal war years, coupled with everyone being pushed to keep up with the Jones', it's just not needed - think back, can you even remember any good times you've had shopping. Even big purchases like houses and cars are plagued with feelings of buyers remorse as soon as the deal is done.

So I'm putting this forward, the shopping hobby must be bleached from our collective consciences, out with all the Next's and John Lewis', in with the local butchers and bakers somewhere where you can really buy something that has heart in it! (especially at the butchers, maybe some offal recipes soon?).

To make this clearer I'll break it down.

What is allowable:

Food shopping, essential toiletries, cleaning products, purchasing assets etc

What is not:

Shopping with no detailed list, window shopping, shopping on lunch breaks, shopping whilst hungry, buying stuff because you have money in your bank, buying crap you don't need anyway, shopping because it's the weekend!

Basically any kind of shopping where the item purchased is pretty much going to simply add to the abundance of crap you already have.

I'm saying this from deep personal experience. I have shopped for no reason, it leads to no good. Do something better. Leave your bank balance be, or use it in better ways that don't simply fill landfill and the pockets of sleazy chain stores.

So why don't you break your weekend routine of going to the nearest shopping centre / mall?

Instead go for an amazing nature walk, drag the kids along, or someone else kids, or both! They'll love it, you'll all make some memories that will last longer than the junk you would have bought anyway.

I'll even let you treat yourself to a Sunday roast at the local pub on your way home, it'll be bliss, pint of mild, turkey / veggie roast (delete as appropriate). Go on I dare you!

Got any better plans to escape the weekend shopping centre? Whack them in the comments section, I'm always looking for inspiration :):)

Pic by Charles J Sharp