With the New Year fast approaching, everybody is gearing up to set some resolutions to welcome a fresh start. But there’s a catch: making resolutions is the easy part. The difficulty lies in sticking to them and seeing them through as the year progresses. Some reports have found that the failure rate for committing to these resolutions is at 80%, but a little more than half of US adults believe that they’ll follow through. In 2022, be empowered to have renewed career goals, both challenging and manageable, and commit to these changes. Here are some new career goals that you can make to ring in during the New Year and ways that you can stick to them:
Clean up your social media profiles
A simple career goal you can start with is to spruce up your social media profiles. Assess whether or not they are in line with your professional image. In the age of making professional connections through social media platforms like LinkedIn, how you present yourself online matters. Aside from that, most employers use social media to screen job candidates before hiring them, so it’s best to get your profiles looking presentable and professional. Start by making sure you have only the information that you would be comfortable with your potential boss to see. Untag yourself from embarrassing photos and go for a more refined image.
Find ways to stay healthier at work
Any new year’s resolution to do with health and wellness is difficult for most people to achieve. But by tying it to your career goals, it becomes more manageable. Since you spend a lot of your time at work, it’s best to consider which healthy habits you can incorporate during your working hours. Maybe you can start packing balanced and nutritional lunches as offices start resuming onsite operations. You could also get up, stretch, and walk around the floor every hour. Even accessories such as exercise balls and standing desks can help significantly. Think small, get creative, and you’ll realize how much these little efforts add up.
Find a mentor
Another sure way to propel your career forward is to find an excellent mentor. These experienced individuals can provide valuable advice for your career. LHH suggests revitalizing your career plan through some honest feedback from your mentor, and you can do this by asking them the right questions. This will help put things into perspective and allow you to put together a concrete action plan to achieve your goals. Questions such as “What would you say are my most valuable soft skills?” and “Is there a time you can recall where I delivered something that impressed you?” are worth asking during your meetings. But more than getting tips, you can improve your work performance by taking a cue from your mentors. They didn’t get to where they are without hard work.
Keep your finances in check
Many people dislike working because they see it as a means to an end. But when you have your finances in check, you can approach your job from a different perspective — it’s no longer a drudgery. Creating a new year’s resolution to earn, save, and generally manage your finances well often starts with where you choose to store your money. While it is common to open a bank account when you start working, there are also options to open an account with a credit union. Our post on ‘September’s Stimulating Tips for Teens’ discusses how the latter has lower interest rates and requires more involvement in matters such as voting for who makes decisions at the credit union. Banks have more expensive interest rates, but they also have more locations, online features, and are generally more accessible. We’re not saying that you should not open bank accounts, but to consider other options on top of those as well. By choosing the right option for your needs, you can keep your finances in check for the new year and beyond.
Article by Contributor: Sophie Dawson
