Want to know the real secret to career success? Take a look at these 7 eye openers to ensure you’re on the right path.

1. It’s the little things that get you noticed. If you’d like to build a name for yourself and get recognised among your colleagues and manager, do the little things and you’ll soon gain your manager's trust which would lead to receiving greater responsibilities and eventually help you to move up the corporate ladder. Small things like always being on time or arriving earlier, reviewing your work one last time before sending it on to your manager just in case you’ve made a silly typo or small mistake that your manager would otherwise pick up, giving your work structure so that it’s easier to read, (happily) volunteering to do the tasks that no one else wants to do, not complaining, being positive about work – these are all little things that could make you more efficient and put you a step above the rest.  
   
   Become part of a growing enterprise. The best way to grow your career is to be part of a company that is on its way up. Of course talent and hard work counts in your favour, but all the talent and hard work won’t do your career any favours if the company is sinking or just isn’t going anywhere. The fastest way to accelerate your career is by far to align yourself with a company that is fast soaring to new heights. So if you’re ever asked if you want to join a company like that, don’t answer “maybe”, rather answer, “Yes, when!”
   
   Find opportunities where you’re bound to either succeed or fail; no maybes. You’ll always learn the most from an organisation that is fast succeeding or failing. If it’s succeeding you’ll grow at the speed of light and learn things you wouldn't necessarily learn in a company that is doing okay. Also, when you’re on the verge of sinking you’ll learn to swim and try to find ways to stay afloat – being a part of both these companies will teach you valuable life lessons.
   
   There’s no one simple way to get where you want to be. Forget what you’ve read or what they’ve taught you about a career path. No one career will follow the same path and there will be many ways to earn your place at the top. It’ll never be a straight path, it may be a bit messy, but if you keep your eye on the prize, you’ll get there.
   
   You may have supporters and detractors. When you start, you might have the gut feeling that some of your colleagues are rooting for you while others are hoping you fail. This is normal. Very few people have an unbiased view of you – know this from day one, it’s just the way it is.   
   
   Be great at what you do because that will be your label. Your job title will serve as your label. When people think of you they’ll refer to you as the numbers guy or IT person, for example – own this label and make sure you’re great at doing your job.
   
   Help people. Share your knowledge with your network and they’ll do the same in return. Also, help them where you can and you’ll see that they’ll naturally want to do the same for you. Your network is one of your keys to a successful career path.