IF YOU HAVE done everything possible to perform well in your current job, the next step will inevitably be to aim for recognition and advancement.
But do not get complacent or assume too much. People who excel at what they do are sometimes the last to get promoted. It is the 'too good to lose' syndrome. Managers often loathe to promote or to part with their star players for fear of losing their skills and experience.
The key to overcoming this obstacle is to develop qualities that allow you to add even greater value to the organisation than in the present job. This requires a shift in focus.
To reach your present position, you have probably concentrated on acquiring the technical skills or market knowledge needed to do well in the chosen field. To show you are ready for new challenges, the next goal should be to develop managerial competence.
If this seems a bit premature, remember that some career coaches advise working towards 'the next but one job'. By planning ahead in this way, you will be better prepared for any promotion opportunity that comes up and will not have such a steep learning curve in the new job.
For example, if you are a marketing executive, you should already be observing and learning the supervisory skills and technical knowledge needed to run a team. But do not stop there - take a long-term view and study what the department managers are doing in terms of budgeting, performance appraisals and creating business plans.