A 4:30 AM wakeup followed by hot water with lemon, an hour of Pilates and journaling…all before breakfast? This is a quick recap of a famous actress’ morning routine. Whether we see the sunrise or not, we are fascinated by the ins and outs of what cultivates success. There are hundreds of books on the topic. Thousands of social reels. But when the rubber meets the road, life is busy, especially for everyday working women.

Career progression doesn’t have to start with an early wake up call or unrealistic protocols. It’s possible to weave high-yield activities into your daily rhythms without bankrupting your time to fuel your career. Power up with these 10 career growth activities that only take 10 minutes (each).

Career Reflection on the Ready

Add to your brag file

Start (and add to) a brag file to track your professional wins. Save emails, notes, performance reviews and wins to a Google Drive, email folder or notes app— track metrics of career success to transform them into high-impact statements for your resume later. 

Take your work pulse

Assess alignment in your career and life. As seasons change, your priorities, values and work-life integration shift, too. Ensure you are operating on all cylinders to thrive from season to season.

Professional Development in the Periphery

Create (or add to) a professional development wish list

Build an Amazon-like wishlist for your professional development. You never know when you’ll have the time, funds or opportunity to do them. Bookmark podcasts, books, courses or the requirements for an advanced credential. 

Level up a career weakness 

Read an article on a topic you are struggling with in your career. If your time is interrupted, bookmark it for later. Diversify with industry news sources and learning platforms to further your career with bite-size learning on your terms.

Career Research on the Regular

Start a companies-to-follow list

It’s that simple. Set up a Word file or note on your phone of companies that spark your interest List one or two organizations to start. Then, as your work and conversations evolve, you have a designated place to mind dump companies that matter to you.

Create a Google Alert for a company

Automate company research by setting Google Alerts that come directly to your inbox. Keep abreast of news-worthy happenings within (and at) the companies you want to work for.

Subscribe to (and read) a career-focused newsletter

Let the new and the notable come straight to your inbox. From career pivoters to sprinters (and everything in between), there is an e-newsletter that speaks directly to your needs. Now, all you need to do is smash the subscribe button.

Networking on the Daily

Build relationships where you are

Be ALL IN where your feet already take you. Think book club, sports sidelines, gym or church. Stake claim in these areas. Choose intentional conversation over the quick exit or social scroll. You never know the when (and where) of being in the right place, with the right person at the right time.

Establish a LinkedIn Habit

Blow the digital dust off your LinkedIn profile and start engaging with people on the professional platform. It’s as easy as setting aside 10 minutes at the start (or end) of your day. Warm up your networking chops by crafting comments that add value to the conversation (and people) that interest you.

Check-in

These are quick touch-base DMs, emails, texts or calls with your current contacts. It can be a: “What’s new in your world?” or “I read/listened/learned and thought you would be interested…” These quick connection hits may open doors for future opportunities and keep you in mind for those “I know a gal” possibilities.

If you’re serious about leveling up your career and time is at a minimum, small daily actions can help you get there faster. Like any new habit, create a cue to get you moving, remind yourself of your why and reward yourself when it's done. Speaking of rewards…Now, where’s the dark chocolate?