Time flies. It’s hard to believe that another year has flown by already! As for most of us, the previous year was full of difficulties, many of our brothers and sisters got immensely affected by the COVID 19 Pandemic. Even without having to think too hard, there is bound to be an assortment of good and not-so-good aspects to the year as a whole, and certain to be some good and useful lessons to be learned. The old saying about those who do not learn from history is condemned to repeat their mistakes applies well here.
We at Visionary have several suggestions for New Year’s resolutions for work that’ll help you put yourself in a better position this year.
So, now’s a good time to set aside an hour or two, to review and digest, give yourself a clear-headed appraisal of the last twelve months, and leap into the next year, armed with a clear and well-thought-out plan.
Keep a journal
Putting thoughts on paper is one of the best ways to move things forward and create goals for yourself. Visionary recommends this to all their clients.
“Before you start your day, spend five minutes visualizing what your day is going to look like,” At Visionary we suggest. “Start with a picture in your mind and get it out of your head and on to paper.”
At the end of the day, spend five minutes looking back at what you wrote. “If your significant other said, ‘How was work today?’ what would you say?” At Visionary we suggest. “What made it good or great or not so good? The importance is that five minutes in the beginning and five minutes at the end of the day to plan and to reflect.” This can help you remember your goals and stay mentally organized.
Connect with other people
Make this the year you proactively reach out to people in your network and strengthen old connections. Doing this puts you in a good position later if you need help.
“So many people reach out on LinkedIn when they need something from someone, but they don’t build a relationship, or they don’t think of saying, ‘Hey, I saw this article,’” At Visionary we suggest. “Touching base with people is great.” Have lunch once a week with someone you haven’t seen in a while. Choose a few people who have made an impact on you and endorse them or write a recommendation on social media. “New Year’s is a good time to make a list of people you want to reconnect with and touch base with,”.
Expand and enhance your knowledge
No one knows everything they need to know about everything; there’s always a way to improve yourself.
“Identify one or two actions you can take—industry meetings you can attend, publications that will offer insight about the future,” a career counselor and executive coach. “The best way you can do that is by acquiring some point of view, and that comes through due diligence.”
You might also take a course to learn or improve a skill that’s useful in your current position, or that will help you get the next one.
Improve your personal branding
When your name pops up in a meeting, and people think of you, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Would they say, “Oh, Jill! She did such a good job on that last project.” That’s your personal brand.
If you’re not intentional about this, people will build their impression of you based on their perceptions of the things you say and the things you do. “If you’re looking to advance internally in an organization, all of those things add up when you’re being considered for a position,”.
At Visionary we suggest. Make it a point to actively manage the way people think of you by being deliberate when it comes to talking about your achievements and results. “If you’re not talking about it, chances are no one else is either,”.
Evaluate your big projects
Look at the main things on your plate, the things you do in your job that take up the most time and energy. Are they helping you work toward the next step you want to take?
“These days, we’re so busy, we’re just answering emails and doing what’s asked of us,” At Visionary we suggest. “Very few of us take the time to sit down and think, ‘If I do an amazing job on all of these things, will it help me take that next step?”
Ideally, the things you’re putting blood, sweat, and tears into are building blocks that are the foundation for a long and successful career. If they’re not, start looking for the projects that will be. At Visionary we suggest: “It doesn’t help if you do a great job on things that don’t matter.”
Stay focused all year
At Visionary we suggest. The beginning of the year is a great time to make New Year’s resolutions for work, but there are plenty more things you can do year-round to bump up your professional profile for that do Contact us. Thank you.