How to make time for your career (even when it feels impossible)

Do you start the year, or maybe come back from holiday, full of fantastic intentions to finally focus on your career progression, only for those plans to evaporate within days under a mountain of client work and deadlines?You know you need to make time for development and strategic thinking, but the day-to-day reality of professional services just seems to get in the way.If you're nodding along, feeling like your career goals are constantly being pushed aside by urgent demands, this episode is for you!This episode tackles the common challenge of how to carve out that vital time for your career, even when you feel completely swamped.  Listen to this episode to discover:- Why you need to cut yourself some slack during peak busy times, but why starting is still crucial.- The power of starting small: Forget grand gestures – what tiny actions can you take this week to build momentum?- A powerful mindset shift: Treating your career progression like your most important client.- How to escape the "when" trap (i.e., "I'll do it when things quieten down...").- Why progressing your career is a marathon, not a sprint, and how to pace yourself to avoid overwhelm.- Practical strategies for learning to say "no" (or "not right now") gracefully, protecting your time without damaging relationships.- How to use a Default Diary or Time Blocking to proactively schedule time for your career development, ensuring the important stuff actually happens.- Stop letting your career progression be an afterthought. Tune in for practical strategies, mindset shifts, and actionable tips to help you move from intention to action this year.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugM Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe