I wanted to share a great article How To Get Ahead in Advertising: Essential Career Advice From The Game's Top Names written by Rae Ann Fera and published by Fast Company last fall (October 2014), which gives 11 pieces of career advice from some of the advertisting industry's top names. The article and advice are excellent and incredibly relevant.

The main point is that your career is not like climbing a ladder (the visual so often used and accepted as it relates to career growth, aka, "The Corporate Ladder"). Rather, the article suggests that it is more like a rollercoaster ride, with up's and down's, twists and turns. Treat it that way. Instead of focusing on upward mobility and making more money, build a treasure chest of exciting experiences that are broad and diverse. Take risks, move across departments and capabilities. Focus on working with great people whom you admire and can learn from. Always be learning, inside and out of work. Take the time to seek inspiration personally and professionally. Remember to feed your soul.

My best career advice is give yourself permission to fail. Do it fast and learn the lessons that failure can teach you; it can be life's best teacher. That is not to say you should come into work with a bad attitude and tell your boss what you really want to say, etc. It means, take a risk, stretch yourself beyond your current role and constantly try new things. Raise your hand to take on new challenges and projects that you have no idea how to do, then figure out how to get them done. Do not underestimate your ability to do so.

The article is full of fantastic advice, please take some time to read it. You will be glad that you did. Today, it inspired me to be better!