New Year’s provides an opportunity to reflect on your accomplishments over the past year, and to make goals for the future.
Maybe you’d like to get a promotion in 2018, or simply be happier at work. No matter what your professional goals might be, there are some powerful New Year’s resolutions that could help you get there.
1. Be more organized.
Getting more organized at work, and staying that way, will save you time. Also, it will help reduce your stress. You’ll get more done, and carry less tension, when you can find what you need when you need it. Being more organized will help you to enjoy your workdays more fully, simply because things will be a little easier.
2. Stop multitasking.
Many workers spend the bulk of their time multitasking. Frankly, it’s often hard not to, given the abundance of interruptions in the modern workplace. But, multitasking doesn’t really work. Dividing your attention is bad for productivity, creativity and innovation. It’s best to focus on just one thing at a time. So, consider resolving to multitask a little less in 2018.
3. Be more grateful.
You have big goals, and a burning desire to advance professionally, and that’s a good thing. But part of the key to getting there is to appreciate what you have along the way. Being grateful helps. It’s pretty hard to feel miserable when you’re focused on all the things you’re grateful for at work. Keep climbing, just don’t forget to enjoy the journey.
4. Say “no” when it’s in your best interest.
Want to be successful? It’s essential to know how to set boundaries. Your working hours are precious, and you don’t have time to say yes to every “opportunity” that comes your way. Reserve some of your schedule for the right projects, so that you’ll be able to tackle them when they do cross your path. Don’t be afraid to say “no” at work once in a while in the new year.
5. Update your resume and online profiles.
You have to be ready for new opportunities in order to seize them. If your resume is up to date, you’ll be able to share it quickly and easily when an opportunity arises. Similarly, resolve to improve your profiles on professional networking sites like LinkedIn during the new year. They could help you make new connections and strengthen existing ones. You never know where your next job will come from.
6. Communicate your goals.
You have to let others know where you’d like to go, if you want to get there. So, communicate with your boss about your goals. Similarly, be sure you have a good understanding of the company’s priorities and how you factor into them. Helping the company to realize their vision for the future should help you get closer to your own aims. Clear and honest communication along the way is essential.
7. Do something new and scary.
If you really want to grow professionally in 2018, you need to get out of your career comfort zone. Chances are you can think of one or two things that would be good for your career, but that you haven’t actually tried yet. Maybe you’ve been asked to speak at conferences, but you’ve felt too nervous to follow through. Or, you want to go back to school, but find the process intimidating. In 2018, resolve to look for at least one experience that forces you to stretch. You never know what doors will open as a result.
Tell Us What You Think
Will you set a career-related New Year’s resolution in 2018? We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or join the discussion on Twitter.
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