A new year is around the corner, and let’s face it: telling yourself to lose weight or sleep more is so last season. Every year, 40% of American adults set New Year’s resolutions as usual, but only 9% keep them. In fact, most people quit on the second Friday of the month – just two weeks into the new year.
Repeating the cycle of doomed-to-fail health and finance resolutions is something you don’t have to fall into, and there are many other kinds of new year’s resolutions that are easy to follow through with and almost come naturally as a byproduct of hard work. Read on to find out more about these new year’s career resolutions that are almost too simple to break.
1. Get a meaningful upgrade
Whatever job progression might look like for you, take the time this year to aspire to more. Seek out a promotion or a new role. Just know why you’re doing it – the upgrade should be meaningful, not just for show. Some people want to have more money; some people want to have a better title. It’s different for everyone. Whatever matters to you, if you work hard and make decisions that reflect this priority, it’ll be in the cards for your 2023.
2. Make a six-month plan
In order to know what kind of upgrade you want in your career, you’ll need to do some digging – into your own mind, that is. Get clarity on your career and personal goals, and have some semblance of where you want to be in six months. This could include doing trainings, getting a certificate, finishing an advanced degree, taking on a new project, fulfilling a deadline, and so much more. In six months, think about how your everyday life will look in light of this plan. This resolution might be a bit harder to stick to mindfully, but the effort you put in will be worth it by the six-month mark.
3. Work less – and more
Another new year’s career resolution is to cut the fat of your workdays. You want to be doing the same quality of work that you are doing now – perhaps even more! – while also optimizing and streamlining your processes. Start small by moving your to-do list online, taking up a new project management software to help keep you organized, automating your calendar, or opting out of some meetings. By doing a little bit of hard work upfront in the first part of the year, your resolution will basically run itself, and you can utilize the back end of your year to focus on the content of your work rather than the process.
4. Do something scary
It’s a new year, and it’s time for a new opportunity – especially something crazy! In past years, you may have felt comfortable cruising or getting into a new rhythm. Maybe you made a wild choice before and just needed some time to wind down. But now you’re ready to go back to your wacky ways and test your strength in something new. Take on a risk you wouldn’t usually be up for, like a side hustle, a new job, or even something like a new project or a new responsibility. Just one scary thing (even a temporary one) can invigorate you and help shake off boredom – and all it takes is the word “yes” to make this resolution come true.
5. Finally update your resume
Even if you’re not looking for new opportunities, an updated resume is of the utmost importance. It’s great to have on hand for networking, social media, and other prospects. Whether you’re updating a paper resume or a profile like LinkedIn, review your public credentials once per year to ensure you haven’t lost track of valuable experience (a resolution you can complete in a day!). In a time where one’s personal brand matters, you always want to keep yours in tip-top shape. And for those who may be actively seeking a new job in the new year, try on a LinkedIn Makeover service that does the hard work for you.
6. Be healthier at work
Work takes up most of your waking hours, and often, that can mean a lot of sitting and eating takeout or cafeteria food. Make an effort to integrate some wellness into your workdays, and you’ll start to feel less sluggish and more limber, encouraging you to keep up the resolution after you start. Some micro-resolutions include: taking the stairs instead of an elevator, stretching a few times a day, or changing your at-home setup to include a standing or walking desk.
7. Spring (or winter) cleaning
Every so often, you realize that things are piling up around you – and that can happen with your computer as much as it can with your desk. Don’t just focus on making a new organizational method for your real office; clean out your virtual office as well. That means getting rid of files you don’t need, clearing clutter from your team’s Google Drive and organizing it, and making sure your Dropbox isn’t a total mess. This is another resolution that requires a bit of leg work in the beginning, but after a while, it’s just maintenance to follow through here.
8. Go to an event
It’s a new year, and if you’re interested in expanding your network, that can also mean new friends! Find a networking event in your area, a conference that your team might be interested in, or a virtual lecture that will increase your skills. If you’re not a social butterfly, try bringing a co-worker to help decrease social anxiety – they’ll also hold you accountable for fulfilling this resolution consistently. You can also network virtually by making your way around LinkedIn and finding those with common interests.
