Did you know that around 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February? Why? People tend to set unrealistic health and fitness goals d...
Did you know that around 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February? Why? People tend to set unrealistic health and fitness goals during the holiday season. What they should do is make career resolutions.
Here are some of the career resolutions you should be making in 2019. This is the ideal time to make them. You’ve returned to work and are ready to think about what you wish to accomplish this year.
1. Learn to work smart, not hard
Look at which of your habits or actions inhibit productivity. It’s a known fact that people who put in extra hours aren’t necessarily more productive than those who clock out on time.
Possible reasons for a lack of productivity:
- Conflicting priorities and constant ‘firefighting’ instead of getting down to the business of the day.
- Habits such as lingering at the water cooler or getting caught up in conversations not related to work.
- Taking on work that isn’t in your job description due to pressure from your supervisor.
2. Work on your soft skills
While you might have all the academic qualifications to do your job, do you have the necessary soft skills?
Soft skills include:
- Creative problem-solving
- Time management
- Communication
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3. Find a balance between being present in the real world and using social media
We need our smartphones for everyday life, but apps like social media can also take over our lives. Find a healthy balance. Try to minimize the time you spend on your devices. It will improve your productivity at work and interactions with your loved ones at home.
Where to start:
- Make LinkedIn a priority as it relates to your career. Keep your profile updated as it can lead to new job opportunities. Join groups that are industry-related and keep up to date with new developments.
- Make a set time for other social media platforms and games each day and stick to it.
4. Learn stress management techniques
One of the leading causes of heart and other health conditions is stress. You cannot eliminate stress from your life, but you can learn to manage it.
Some options:
- Get a life coach to help you identify stressors and coping techniques
- Go online and learn simple stress management techniques such as breathing and meditating.
5. Build your network
You might be okay with where you are in your career, but don’t be blind to the fact that there are other options out there. To build a healthy network, stay in touch with former colleagues and utilize online group forums. Then you can see if there are opportunities out there for you to explore.
Keep your resume up to date in case you are invited to submit it to a new organization. An updated resume shows your preparedness which is a good indication of the type of worker you are.
6. Declutter your workspace
Start the year off by reorganizing your office or desk. Don’t be one of those workers whose desk is so untidy that they can never find anything.
Some tips:
- Set up filing systems and stick to them.
- Have an inbox and an outbox so that you can see what needs to be done and what needs to be passed on or filed.
- Reorganize your drawers so that you can find things easily.
- Remove unnecessary clutter. Too many photos and ornaments encroach on your workspace.
7. Take strategic risks
Work presents opportunities for you to take on something new that might seem like a bit of a risk. Think about the risk and what it will mean for your overall productivity before you jump in with both feet. Remember to think of the reward as well.
You might be presented with the opportunity to take on a leadership role. The risk is that it could affect your ability to get all your work done each day. However, the potential reward is recognition and promotion. Look at the pros and cons before making a final decision.
How to make New Year’s resolutions for your career:
- Make a few resolutions related to your career. Too many will overwhelm you, and you’ll soon abandon all of them.
- Be realistic and have milestones and timelines to achieve what your resolutions
About the
author: Scott Matthews is an experienced writer with
assignments for Best
Dissertation, A-writer.com,
and Superior Papers forming
part of his resume. He freely shares his writing skills, acting
as a writing mentor for language teachers at schools for underprivileged
children. Scott enjoys spending his free time with his wife, children, and
extended family pursuing one of his favorite hobbies, fishing.
