In addition to the two most popular New Year’s resolutions, namely losing weight and spending more time with family, many people will pledge to improve their professional lives in the coming year. The following 10 resolutions can help you achieve career success in the 2012:
1. Explore career options
Reflect on your job by asking yourself these questions: Does my current position utilise my abilities and talents? Am I maximising my earning potential? Am I doing something that I’m passionate about? If the answer is an overwhelming “no”, assess your work style and personal characteristics and discover a career field that highlights them.
2. Brush up on job skills
If your career suits you, take time to better yourself at what you do. Stand out from other employees by completing the latest training and updating your expertise. With an Internet connection, workforce development is at your fingertips.
3. Meet with your manager
Instead of guessing at your strengths and weaknesses, gain the input you need directly from your manager. Meeting regularly to review your performance will help you re-evaluate goals and set priorities.
4. Set realistic career goals
Identify what you want to accomplish professionally in 2012 and write them down in order of priority. Your goals may include improving current work performance, being promoted to a job that you’re qualified for or making a complete career switch. Just make sure each goal is specific and attainable.
5. Establish a plan of action
Think of the steps you need to take to get your career goals underway and put them down on paper. Give yourself deadlines to follow, but keep them realistic.
6. Get organised
Take time in the slower first weeks of the year to rearrange your files and or equipment so they are more organised and efficient. Archive anything you haven’t used in the last year into a file cabinet further from your desk, leaving the files used daily closer and less cluttered.
7. Work faster and smarter
Practise better time management in the coming year. Are you spending too much time on unnecessary activities? Make a to-do list for the next day before you leave the office and dedicate the next day to completing those tasks.
8. Boost work relationships
Maintaining good relationships with colleagues will not only make the office a place you want to be, but also a place that increases work productivity. And, you never know who may get promoted and become your next boss!
9. Follow through on actions
Taking control of your career will not happen unless you follow through. Visualise your success regularly and don’t be afraid to ask for help when necessary.
10. Maintain a healthy work-life balance
Long hours and unpredictable schedules can wreak havoc on your personal and professional life. To avoid career burnout, it is important to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Sources
http://jobsearch.about.com
http://legalcareers.about.com