It’s that time of the year where many of us reflect on the year that has passed and look forward to the year ahead. More often than not, we hear the term New Year’s Resolutions being used in the context of diets, detoxes and get fit regimes, with the odds of sticking to them stacked against you.
This year, why not take a different approach when setting your goals for the year ahead? Whether you’re just starting out in the world of work, looking for a career change or are a seasoned professional, read on for our top resolutions that will help get you to where you want to be in the next 12 months.
CREATE A POSITIVE MIND-SET
Rather than feeling negative towards your current situation or job role, take stock of all the experiences you’ve had so far and recognise that good or bad, they’ve all helped you to get where you are today. You might find it gives you a helpful confidence boost to write a list of your key skills or achievements, so you can head into the New Year feeling positive and focused.
ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT
If you’re in a role at the moment but feeling less than fulfilled or ‘stuck’, don’t automatically start trawling the job boards. Stop and consider if there’s anything that could be done within your current role or company. Whether it’s an overdue pay rise, taking on more responsibility, a new project or an internal move, you’ll never know unless you ask.
SKILL-UP
A new skill might be something that will help you progress within your current field or it could be something to facilitate a total career change, whatever you decide, your options are pretty much limitless. If it’s related to the work you do now, perhaps your current employers will consider funding it for you, or you might have to be prepared to self-fund. Either way, learning a new skill will inevitably take time and require commitment; see this as an investment in your future.
NETWORK
Colleagues, clients, suppliers and peers – see every conversation as an opportunity to build your network of contacts. Actively say yes to opportunities to attend events and get involved in local business groups.
VOLUNTEER
Consider whether volunteering would be relevant to your goals – volunteering can come in many forms such as taking on a new project, getting involved with an industry or business group, sitting on a board or becoming a mentor. Yes, in the short term, it might mean giving up your time for free, but if it helps you build connections and/or gives you relevant experience, then it might be invaluable in the long term.
MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF
Whilst it’s important to be prepared to invest time in your career and make some sacrifices along the way, it’s also important to strike a balance between your work life and your personal life. You don’t want to burn out as that would be counter-productive, so make time to do things you enjoy with family and friends, exercise regularly and eat well.
We hope our tips give you some inspiration for the year ahead!