If you want to advance your career it is more important than ever to set yourself apart from your competition.  If you are fortunate enough to be employed you are presented with the chance to create security when the job market is offering nothing of the sort.  The only security you may have in this ever changing economy is you.   You have the chance or perhaps the obligation to make yourself indispensible, to make it impossible for your employer to conceive of losing you. 

There are many ways to do this.  If you are meeting your deadlines, seek to meet them a day early.  If you are hitting your sales goals, increase those goals by 5%.  If you are getting all of your work done with time to spare, meet with your manager to determine needs you can meet; perhaps needs that have gone unmet, until now.  Small changes in attitude and signs of initiative alone can serve make your employer take note: this person is a value to the organization.

Is it easy?  No.  Personal development takes work.  Developing your career path takes vision.  But aren’t you worth it?  Isn’t it worth investing in yourself and your future?  There will be times when you’re not  motivated, or just plain tired.  But ask yourself this, would you rather be a success or a statistic?