Set Your Work Goals for 2019
December 27, 2018
When it comes to New Year’s Resolutions, people tend to think of changes they want to change within their personal life but it’s important to look for ways in which you can improve professionally too. Too often, we fall into a routine and then rarely take the time to reevaluate our choices and options.
This year, give your career path a thorough review and identify the areas where you’d like to make improvements and then come up with a goal. Here are some suggestions to help you get started.
Do What You Love
While you may not immediately land your dream job, you should always strive to do what you love. Having any job may pay the bills, but being in a fulfilling career will add so much more to your life.
Upgrade Your Skills
Have you done the same things so many times that you could do your job in your sleep? Are you able to operate on autopilot? If so, it might be time to shake things up. In almost every situation, there are ways in which you can improve your performance but we usually don’t seek them out unless we are forced to!
Whether it’s subscribing to a newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on changes within your industry. or pursuing an education in preparation for doing something entirely new, continuously look for ways to grow. Adding skills to your repertoire can also improve your job security.
Move Up the Ladder
If you’re happy doing what you’re doing, keep going! But if you’re feeling bored, unchallenged, or underutilized, you might want to work on moving up the ladder. Read job descriptions for other roles within your company or industry and, if you find something you like, come up with a plan.
Express your interest to your supervisor, start learning more about the position and, if needed, add on to your education. Getting some hands-on experience, even if it’s unpaid, will give you a better idea of what to expect and give you a competitive edge as a potential candidate.
Be More Efficient
There are many things that can rob you of a productive, efficient workday—having a cluttered, disorganized desk, checking email too frequently, looking at your phone/social media, gossiping with coworkers or even taking too long to ask for help when something is confusing.
Over a week’s period, take a critical, honest look at your work practices, making note of when you are most and least efficient. Then, come up with a plan to get more done. Keep office chatter to a minimum, declutter your desk, and schedule specific times for checking messages. The key is to work smarter, not harder, and you might be amazed by how much more you can accomplish with a few minor tweaks to your workflow.
Even if you enjoy your job, there are always ways that you can take your professional life to the next level. Whether it’s for a greater sense of purpose, higher pay, or simply to be more efficient, creating career goals for 2019 can be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. It’s worth it!
