With a fresh new year awaiting us, what better time to take control of your career? When you sit down and reflect on all of you have accomplished in the year’s past – sit down an conduct a survey on your year-end career review. Look ahead of what you feel you need to accomplish and determine your goals by process of execution.
When considering a new start or further progress for 2011, try these tactical resolution steps:
1. Get off your ass and stop procrastinating! How many real housewives can you watch in one day? Have you sat down to think how much time you spend watching TV? Are you accomplishing anything by doing so? Are you making money from it? Is it furthering your career? Unless you are a TV producer or the star of the show there is no need to watch so much TV. Find out what makes your career exciting and do more about it! Take that extra time that you have for yourself and devote it to being more creative, seeking new ways to make your company more money, go out and network be pro-active! Always start with small things first, you’ll be amazed at how much simpler and more fluid your life becomes. Procrastination is a thief of time. You can’t build your life on thinking what you are going to do. The sad part, some people never really try.
2. Learn a new skill. Whether it’s brushing up on your expertise or taking new courses you will always need education to further your career. Because I am the SVP of my company it is important for me to relate with all of my employees and understand them. I took upon myself to register myself to computer classes program in order for me to communicate more effectively with our IT department. I knew it was a commitment, but I knew doing so will improve my career and my relationship with my employees. Just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you can’t learn something new or need improvement. If you’re looking for a job it’s important to have various skills that will make you an asset to the company.
3. Set a goal. This is not I’m going to quit smoking type of goal, this is putting together a comprehensive long-range life or career plan. Is that too difficult? I once had a friend who was in finance, but wanted to become a television producer? We all thought she was crazy, she had no experience and no knowledge of the industry. My friend was persistent, she set her self goals and in the first year began interning for some of the best production companies. She took all of her extra time to learn everything and anything that had to do with production and editing. Today she is an accomplished Television producer working for a major TV network. Identify your goal and work towards it. It is doable.
4. Read. Specifically, read about your business or industry. Seek an “outsider” view if possible. The more you know about your field, the more interesting it will become to you, and the more valuable you are as a contributor. A simple Google search will get you started.
5. Improve your people skills. All jobs involve working with people. No matter how amazing you are at your job, if you can’t get along with others, you will have real problems succeeding. So this year, vow to listen a little more, talk a little less, and give your colleagues, bosses, customers, and clients the benefit of the doubt.
Do you have any goals to share? Send me a message on twitter @lorenridinger .
