+44 (0) 7941 690391 447490373980
     
Dave Cordle

The Blog Of Dave Cordle

The Career Mountaineer ...

Three Practical Steps to advance your career in 2026

Dave Cordle

CREATED BY DAVE CORDLE

Published: 01/01/2026 @ 09:01AM

#advanceyourcareer #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth2026 #CareerPlanning #Upskilling #WorkplaceSuccess

Want to advance your career in 2026 without overcomplicating it? Set a daily intention, use a career coach to sharpen your decisions, and take small actions consistently. It's practical career planning that compounds fast ...

Advance your career, Pursue your dreams with passion, Success lies in 2026

Advance your career, Pursue your dreams with passion, Success lies in 2026

First of all, Happy New Year! Yes, it's the 1st of January 2026, and you've probably set goals that look great on paper, but to advance your career this year, you need a simple way to start moving before motivation fades. Think of today as a clean baseline: fewer grand promises, more repeatable behaviours.

You're not trying to fix your career overnight; you're building a system that makes progress predictable!

Begin by deciding, deliberately, that you will enjoy your career every day. That doesn't mean pretending everything is perfect or forcing positivity when something needs to change. It means you choose to look for what's useful, what's learnable, and what's within your control, even on messy days.

Each morning, before your inbox takes over, you set an intention like: “Today I will do work I respect, and I will act like the professional I'm becoming”. This matters for career development because your mood doesn't just colour your day; it influences your choices, your energy, and how consistently you meet your own standards.

The second step is to bring in a career coach like me, not as a luxury, but as a practical tool for clearer thinking and faster iteration!

When you're inside your own situation, you can't always see the patterns you're repeating or the options you're ignoring; a good coach helps you separate facts from assumptions. You get an external perspective on your career planning, and you also get structured accountability - someone who will challenge fuzzy goals, test your narrative, and help you make decisions you can stand behind.

In return, you get fewer months spent circling the same questions, more weeks spent executing a plan that fits you. If you want to advance your career, you need feedback loops, and career coaching is one of the cleanest ways to create them.

The third step is to take action every day!

Even when you're busy, even when you're not inspired, and especially when the next move feels small. Daily action turns 'professional growth 2026' from a slogan into a lived reality. One day you might refine your CV to match a role you actually want; another day you might send one message to a hiring manager; another day you might practise a single interview answer until it's crisp. You're not chasing intensity - you're building momentum.

This is also where the idea of an upskilling workforce becomes personal. The market will keep rewarding people who can learn quickly, communicate clearly, and deliver outcomes, so you make learning non-negotiable.

Choose one skill that improves your leverage - data literacy, stakeholder management, project leadership, technical depth in your domain - and you practise it in short, consistent sessions. When you can point to real outputs, not just courses completed, you make it easier for others to trust you with bigger work.

As you move through 2026, keep your approach
strategic and measurable!

You decide what 'better' looks like, you track the signals that matter, and you adjust without drama. If a goal doesn't survive contact with reality, you don't call it failure; you call it information, then you refine the plan.That calm, analytical loop is exactly how you advance your career in 2026.

While everyone else is still waiting for the right time to begin.

Until next time ...


DAVE CORDLE
Career Development Professional

07941 690 391

www.davecordle.co.uk / www.linkedin.com/in/davecordle

Everything you need for your career:  www.davecordle.co.uk/basecamp

Would you like to know more?

If anything in my blog post resonates with you and you'd like some further help and advice with your career, then why not get in touch today? Call me on 07941 690391, visit my website at davecordle.co.uk to see ways I can help and support you, or connect with me on LinkedIn and let's start a conversation.

Share the blog love ...

Share this to FacebookBuffer
Share this to FacebookFacebook
Share this to TwitterTwitter
Share this to Linkedin (popup window)Linkedin
Share this to Pinterest (popup window)Pinterest
Share this to WhatsApp (popup window)WhatsApp

#advanceyourcareer #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth2026 #CareerPlanning #Upskilling #WorkplaceSuccess

About Dave Cordle ...

Dave Cordle 

I began my professional life training as a cartographer with the Directorate of Overseas Surveys, a department of the British government. I made maps of places such as Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Sudan and the British Virgin Islands. It was a fascinating time, being involved in planning the flights for aerial photography, interpreting the photographs and eventually producing the plates for the different layers of the final map.

It was during my latter years as a cartographer and my career in computing that I undertook bigger mountaineering expeditions to the Andes, the Himalayas, the Tien Shan and the Caucasus. At that time I also held various leadership roles in scouting. I coached and trained young people successfully leading them to develop themselves and embrace new experiences. So that’s where my passion comes from to help young people learn the strategies for success that I share with my business and career clients.

My journey in personal professional development and coaching has been amazing, and will continue to be so: it’s why I’m here, it’s my big passion. It’s what has informed my vision and mission.

However unlikely your dream might seem, if you keep taking steps towards it, even small steps, you may well just surprise yourself.

More blog posts for you to enjoy ...

Click here to view this blog post


Overcoming imposter syndrome at work: why high achievers often feel like frauds

If imposter syndrome is nagging you at work, you're not alone. You'll learn why it hits high achievers and how it shows up day to day. After reading my blog post, you'll walk away with a few practical ways to rebuild trust in...

Click here to view this blog post


Creative ways to overcome common career challenges without losing your spark

Feeling stuck, stretched, or unsure is normal. Here are some creative, practical ways to overcome common career challenges without burning out ......

Click here to view this blog post


What is the career landscape like right now?

So, what is the career landscape like right now? It's faster, more flexible, and more skills-driven than it used to be. You'll do best by translating your strengths, building relationships before you need them, and choosing w...

Click here to view this blog post


Key skills for job hunting: the habits that get you hired

You don't need luck; you need repeatable habits. This blog post breaks down the key skills for job hunting, from research and networking to CV writing and interview skills. Use them consistently, and you'll move through the U...

Click here to view this blog post


Three practical habits for better wellbeing in 2026 at work

Here are three easy habits to make wellbeing in 2026 feel doable at work. You'll lower stress, protect your attention, and build steadier joy without overhauling your life. Think small actions, repeated daily, with real impac...

Click here to view this blog post


You've been made redundant? Let's separate you from the job

If you've been made redundant, it can feel personal, but it isn't. The role has gone, not your strengths, experience or future. Let's reset the story and get you steady, practical and moving again ......

Click here to view this blog post


Merry Christmas, and a thoughtful toast to the year ahead

Merry Christmas to one and all. This is a warm invitation to pause, and take time to dream of 2026, and align work with life-giving inspiration. It's reflective, friendly, and hopeful ......

Click here to view this blog post


10 ways to relax and recharge over the festive period for career clarity in the New Year

Here are 10 ways to relax and recharge over the festive period without losing career momentum. It blends rest with light learning to reduce stress. Use these great ideas to reset, reflect, and return ready ......

Other bloggers you may like ...

Click here to view this blog post


Why our serviced accommodation in Milton Keynes suits overseas visitors best

Posted by Emily Freeman on https://blog.shortstay-mk.co.uk

If you're visiting from overseas, serviced accommodation in Milton Keynes gives you more space and a smoother routine than most hotels. You can work, ...

Click here to view this blog post


Why the HMRC self-assessment tax return deadline keeps catching people out

Posted by Roger Eddowes on https://blog.essendonaccounts.co.uk

About a million people missed the HMRC self-assessment tax return deadline, and the knock-on costs can really add up. My blog post this week walks thr ...

Click here to view this blog post


Trial Bundle Creation: Why Online PAs Beat Last-Minute Panic

Posted by Sarah Hannaford on https://blog.sarahpasolutions.co.uk

Trial bundle creation is fiddly, time-sensitive, and often pushed to the last minute. An Online PA can take it off a solicitor's plate, build a compli ...

Click here to view this blog post


Networking: I Don't Do Small Talk!

Posted by Jacky Sherman on https://www.jackysherman.com

I wish I had a pound for every time I've heard that. It's a common reason given by people who dislike networking because they see the banality of talk ...

© 2026 by Dave Cordle

All rights reserved



All content on this blog, including but not limited to text, images, videos and audio, is protected by copyright. No part of this blog may be reproduced, copied, distributed, or otherwise used without the prior written consent of the author. Unauthorised use constitutes a breach of intellectual property rights.

Please note that many elements of this blog have been created using Artificial Intelligence (AI). As such, content may not always reflect verified facts or professional advice. The information provided is for general interest only and should not be relied upon as a sole source for making decisions, financial or otherwise. Readers are strongly advised to seek independent advice from qualified professionals appropriate to their country and situation.

The author of this blog, YourPCM Limited, and its directors, employees, and authorised agents accept no liability for any loss, harm, or consequence arising from the use or interpretation of content found on this site.

The sblogit.com platform is provided on an “as is” basis. By continuing to view or interact with this blog, you acknowledge and accept these terms. If you do not agree with any part of this notice, please cease using this site immediately.

YourPCM Limited is a company registered in the UK and operates exclusively under the jurisdiction of the laws of England and Wales.