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Top 5 New Year's Resolutions to improve your work life

Published on: 1 Jan 2015

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This New Year, instead of resolving to go to the gym in the hopes of getting a six-pack, we suggest that you aim to become a successful, well-rounded professional. This might sound slightly less exciting than climbing Machu Picchu or writing a best-selling novel, but if you’re feeling fulfilled in your career, more often than not this will have a positive ripple effect in your life. So throw out that laundry list of New Year clichés, and dedicate yourself to becoming great at your job. Even if you intend to leave your current role, the following will hopefully make you a more employable, stronger candidate for the future.

1. Get a promotion/raise

We know; this is much easier said than done.  But it’s completely feasible so long as you take the necessary measures. First, speak with your manager to find out what would be expected of you and what sort of time frame you’ll be looking at. Just make sure you pose the question tactfully, and refrain from making any demands of them. Essentially, you need to convey that you’d like to progress within the company, and that you’d do whatever it takes to make that happen (well, maybe not whatever it takes). The goal is to position yourself as the best candidate for a promotion or raise, and this is much more likely to happen if you know what’s expected of you, in addition to being on your manager’s radar.

2. Assess and improve your skillset

Identify skills that are not only applicable but also beneficial to your role. If you find yourself lacking (which is to be expected – there’s always room for growth), then make a concerted effort to develop yourself where necessary. It’s also a good idea to determine what skills are currently en vogue within your industry. For web development, it might be coding with JavaScript; Publishing, it might be utilising InDesign. Whatever the case may be, do your research, and see what will give you a lead not only in the office but also in the job market.

3. Invest in training and development

Once you’ve determined the gaps in your knowledge, dedicate yourself to bridging them. Granted, many skills can be self-taught, but sometimes YouTube tutorials or For Dummies guides just won’t cut it. If you deem training necessary, then we say: go for it! If your company is unable cover the cost, don’t fret – you still have a number of options available to you. Professional associations, adult education programmes, and online courses are some great, low-cost resources to name a few. Even if you have to dole out a bit of cash, keep in mind that this is an investment, as the more skills you have at your disposal, the more employable you are.

4. Be more organized

Your office or desk can say a lot about you as a worker. For some of us, this is bad news. If your work space is cluttered and there’s little semblance of order, your colleagues might assume that you’re unable to manage your workload and space. Don’t give off the impression of being a frenzied, messy worker. We’re sure there’s a method to the madness, but it’s unlikely your peers will see past the heaps of paper, candy wrappers, and crumpled up post-it notes. So make the effort: tidy up.

5. Reduce stress

There’s no getting around it – work can be extremely trying at times. But you shouldn’t have to sprout grey hairs over it. Ask yourself if the stress comes from an internal or external source. If it’s coming from within, then try to take some time for yourself throughout the day. Figure out what rejuvenates you; perhaps it’s a walk around the block, a phone call to a friend, or reading your favourite book for a few minutes at a time. If the stress is coming from an external party however – such as a colleague or boss – then make an effort to speak to them about it. We doubt their intention is to cause you stress or anxiety, so if it’s their management style or your interactions that are bothering you, then let them know in a professional manner, or refer to HR for mediation.

 

Follow these guidelines, and you’ll inevitably do well. Worst case scenario, if you don’t get that promotion or if the stress doesn’t subside,  you’ll be incentivized to find a new job where you can put these tools to good use.  In the meantime, keep doing what you do… and be great at it!