It’s the start of a new year and that means it’s resolution season. This phase generally lasts for only a month as 80% of people admit to giving up by February each year – but that doesn’t mean you have to. The problem with most peoples’ resolutions is that they are just too big and grand and don’t take into account the reality of everyday life.
Instead of thinking of one big resolution this year, try making a series of smaller resolutions that can push you toward a larger goal. This way, even if you can’t reach your ultimate goal, you will at least be a few steps closer.
If your overall goal is related to your career, whether that be to a new position, publication, or to work for yourself, there are a million little things you can do to get started. No matter your aim, everyone can use a 2023 refresh. Ask yourself: when was the last time you updated your resume? What about your social media bios, headshot photo, or website? Take 20 minutes and make some updates so no matter how far into the year it gets, they will have all been updated ‘this year’ and you can already cross something off your resolution list.
From there, try some of these suggestions:
- Attend a conference or webinar
- Reach out to a writer you admire
- Pitch a story outside of your comfort zone
- Have a conversation with your editor about your goals
- Speak up in a meeting
- Learn about a new coverage area that interests you
- Read a book related to your coverage area
- Join a writer’s group
- Take an e-course – (May we suggest our Covering Financials)
- Purchase a domain name for a personal website
- Establish an LLC for yourself
- Submit your resume to a job that seems ‘out of your league’
- Reach out to an old colleague
- Attend a networking event
- Set a specific professional goal for yourself
- Learn a new program to build your skills (ie. Photoshop)
Personal growth
Many of us tend to put our careers first and personal lives second, but don’t think that personal growth can’t also help in your career. The biggest suggestion we can make for a resolution related to personal growth is to make time for a hobby that has nothing to do with work. Sign up for that ballroom class, take a weekend to go skiing in the mountains, spend an evening painting. Doing something that brings you joy will allow you to feel recharged and energized at work and will help you focus.
At the end of the day, jobs come and go. The only constant in your life is you. So don’t forget to take a moment for you this year. You’ll thank yourself.
