Pick One (1) Career New Year's Resolution for 2020
Just select one!
Here it is: New Year's Resolution Time (AGAIN!)
What happened to that year? Boom! It's gone!
Did you accomplish your last year's New Year's Resolution?
You did? GREAT!
You didn't? Why not?
One reason people do not accomplish their NYR is that they select something too large…or they select too many.
The sad truth is that, according to US News & World Report, roughly 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February!
You are not doomed, you just need to wise up a bit and learn the secret.
What is it?
The secret to hitting the mark with that New Year's Resolution
The secret is to pick JUST ONE, and be satisfied with accomplishing that.
(Hey! If you accomplish it early there is no reason you cannot set a July 4th Resolution to fill out the rest of the year, right?)
You need to be realistic. Your sights must be set on targets that are within your reach. The best way to eat an elephant? One bite at a time!
Monster.com compiled 10 achievable career resolutions that are suitable for every industry and every experience level. (Bortz)
Here they are:
1. Pay attention
If you’ve been doing the same job for a while, it’s easy to let yourself coast—and let your skills development fall by the wayside. The solution? Treat every workday like a school day. Adopt a growth mindset, aim to learn something each day—it doesn’t even have to relate to your skills set—just keep your brain in learning mode.
2. Look for the next rung
If you want to get promoted this year, don’t just sit back and wait for your boss to tap you on the shoulder. Create your own opportunities by meeting with your manager to get clarity on what you need to do to upgrade your position within the company. But remember to take small, achievable steps. All those small steps add up.
3. Make your boss look good
By helping your boss hit her goals, she’ll be more motivated to help you achieve yours. “Find out how your boss is judged and how she gets a bonus,” says Larry Myler, author of Indispensable by Monday. Oftentimes, these are financial targets, so understand how to help your manager hit them.
4. Pick projects with maximum impact
One of the best ways to gain visibility within your company and become known as a leader is by making noticeable contributions on big projects. Therefore, find out what high-profile projects are in the works this year, and ask if there are opportunities for you to play a part on them.
5. Stretch your role
The last thing you want to be is a hamster on a wheel at your job—clocking in and clocking out without pushing yourself. Step outside your comfort zone and take on new responsibilities to gain the experience you need to climb the ranks. Showing that kind of initiative will also make you more valuable to your employer. Come up with your own ideas, and work with your manager to implement them.
6. Manage up
Building a great relationship with your boss is paramount. After all, the person who signs off on your performance reviews can help or hinder your career trajectory. One approach to managing up: Find out what keeps your boss up at night, recommends Morag Barrett, CEO of HR and leadership consultancy Skye Team. Once you’ve identified these issues, make your manager’s life easier by offering to pitch in.
7. Manage across
Whether you get along with your co-workers can improve or impair your job performance, especially on group projects. To cozy up to colleagues, be a team player by giving co-workers credit when it’s due, engaging with your peers outside of work (doing so builds rapport), and providing these folks with emotional support during hard times. “If you can work more effectively with others, you’re going to build meaningful relationships that can help you long term,” says Joyce Russell, dean at the Villanova School of Business.
8. Be a better communicator
Want to be liked? Be a good communicator. That means returning emails and calls promptly, letting co-workers know what you’re up to, and asking people where they’re at on their own projects. Talk to people; give them a heads up when you’ll be unavailable so they’re not left hanging. And when someone helps you out, be sure to thank them.
9. Create a work-life balance
All work and no play can make life a chore—if you’re miserable at work, your career could stall out. The moral? Work hard, but don’t wear yourself out. Carve out time for friends and family. And don’t forget to take your vacation days.
10. Be open to outside opportunities
Whether or not you’re not happy at your job, you should be keeping your eyes open for new opportunities regardless. You risk nothing by applying to jobs that seem like they’d be a good fit. Pressed for time? Need help? There’s a very simple solution: Join Monster for free today. As a member, you can upload up to five versions of your resume—each tailored to the types of jobs that interest you. Recruiters search Monster every day looking to fill top jobs with qualified candidates, just like you. Additionally, you can get job alerts sent directly to your inbox to cut down on time spent looking through ads.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. Every career thrives on goals. Goals inspire us and give us hope, sometimes to carry on. Sometimes to give us something to get excited about. Sometimes to let us know we WILL grow. Pick that resolution from above and stick with it.
How to stick with it? Write it out on a sticky note and put it on the top of your computer, AND on your bathroom mirror at home, and on your car dash. Say it aloud EVERY single workday on your way into work. This alone will increase your chances by over 1000%!
Do it.
Do it now!
Please.
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Bortz, D. (2020). Ten Career Resolutions
