It’s one thing get a job and fall into a steady routine at work, and it’s quite another to continue to grow and rise through the ranks of our chosen profession — or to move to another, better, role, in another, more interesting profession.

It’s all too common for people to fall into a slump at some point during their career. A time when they just cruise on autopilot and allow everything to continue at it’s usual, predictable pace. The hours stay roughly the same, the pay stays roughly the same, and that’s the way it stays. At least until, or unless, you get made redundant.

To continue moving from success to greater success in the business world requires the right growth-oriented mindset, whether your area of expertise is data science and digital marketing or copywriting.

Here are some core components of a growth-oriented mindset.

Look for the point of productive tension, not the easy path

The “easy path” is the enemy of growth, as ease always means that you’re not stretching yourself to the limit of your talents, and therefore being forced to learn and develop continually.

“Easy” means “stagnant”. In order to really grow, you must always seek out a point of productive tension, both in work and in life, and insert yourself firmly into the middle of that space. Your work must challenge and stretch you, but still be manageable. It must serve as a catalyst to growth, and must demand that you learn and adapt in the process.

If you’re cruising from day-to-day on autopilot, be sure that you’re stuck in a rut and are going nowhere fast.

Always look for the next big opportunity

Scott Adams, the creator of the Dilbert comics, shared an anecdote in his 2013 book “How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big”, of a moment that left an impression on him as a young man. Adams was on a flight, and sat next to a highly successful businessman. The businessman gave him the following advice, paraphrased:

“Your job isn’t to do your job; your job is to find a better job”.

This is a common mindset among many of the world’s most successful people. By all means, you should be thoroughly diligent and attentive to your work. But you should also keep your eyes peeled for the next big thing, and go for it when opportunity beckons.

Stay humble

This tip is likely to throw a few people off. “Humble?” they scoff, “confidence! Power! Assertiveness!”

The truth is that it’s possible to be confident, powerful, and assertive while still maintaining a healthy dose of humility. You should certainly respect yourself and your potential, but you should always be open to the idea that you — no matter how high you rise — you are still mortal, you can still be wrong, and other people can still teach you valuable lessons.

Growth requires an openness to admitting our faults and insufficiencies and committing to continued education and improvement.

Arrogance makes that impossible.