We all know the new year is a time where we set resolutions to become better versions of ourselves in the coming year, but do most of us ever actually stick to them?
Whether you’re a business owner, HR professional or tradesperson, there’s always room for improvement and advancement in your personal and professional life.
To help reach your goals, set goals that are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-Bound.
Here are 5 tips to help you make the best out of your personal and professional resolutions in 2015:
1. Write down your resolutions: As the saying goes, “A Goal without a Plan is Just a Wish.” By taking the time to write out your goals, you force yourself to think through them, breaking your overall goals into little steps in a timeline and being realistic about what you can achieve and when. Keep in mind Smart Goals: Create goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Bound.
Extra Tip: Check back on those goals every 3 months to see where you’re at and motivate you to keep going!
2. Don’t take on too much: We all want to reach 10 goals in a year but this is not realistic. Instead focus on one or two goals in each area of your life: Personal and Professional. If you want to get more fit, maybe take one yoga class and see how it goes. Want to be more focused at work? Start with something small like getting more sleep. This way you won’t feel so pressure or overwhelmed to reach too many goals at once.
Extra Tip: Personal and Professional goals can often be intermingled. For example, you could start a corporate softball league or get a walking buddy at lunch!
3. Learn something new: Pick one way you can improve yourself this year, personally or professionally. Want to read more? Join a local Meet Up book club or take a class. If your company doesn’t offer professional development there are plenty of free online courses you can take in a variety of areas.
Extra Tip: Don’t overwhelm yourself. Stick to only 1 or 2 main ways to learn something new this year.
4. Improve your Linkedin Profile: Have you updated your profile lately? Most of us started our Linkedin Profile when the professional social network first opened in 2003. If you are always learning new skills, volunteering or if you’ve changed a job you need to add that to your Linkedin Profile before you forget!
5. Give back to the community: It can be difficult to find the time to give back to your community, but you should try to make it one of your goals. Feel passionate about children? Maybe try mentoring at a local organization. Like animals? Volunteer to walk dogs once a week. Giving back not only makes you feel good, but it’s great to add to your resumé too!
Happy New Year, and we wish you all the best in reaching your personal and professional goals in 2015!