It’s a new year and once again, time to revisit personal and professional goals. Despite the best of intentions, “resolutions” alone do not support change. A 45% gym membership increase in January with a precipitous fall off in February alone points to very typical human behavior. We often imagine we have accomplished a goal by taking a single step. While that may indeed be a starting point, it is in fact, only the beginning. Without a plan in place, the likelihood of any change, let alone sustained change, is low.
According to this month’s Boston Business Journal survey, people do give increased attention to their career goals in January. • 20% – Find a new job • 17% – Do a better job of setting realistic goals and following through • 17% – Achieve better work/like balance • 14% – Get a pay raise • 12% – Get more organized • 10% – Delegate tasks more effectively • 10% – Other
Finding a new job may certainly be doable, yet without specific steps, wishing, hoping and praying to be promoted or recruited isn’t the best approach. Begin with research. • Are you doing work that you like and/or want to continue doing? • Do you need a bigger challenge? • Is the company/industry a good fit for you? • Is there a new role you can identify there or elsewhere? • Who’s doing something professionally that you would love to do?
There are multiple strategies to utilize in a robust job search beginning with an internal review of what you find most and least satisfying about your work. Sometimes we feel stuck because of personal or financial demands. It may be the department or the company that’s the issue but you love the career path you’ve chosen. Sometimes it’s truly a professional mismatch and time for a return to school or seeking new credentials. The clock is ticking and finding yourself in the same place in a year will be disheartening.
Quick tips: • Review your LinkedIn profile. Is it up-to-date and with a professional head shot? • Informal networking. Time to expand your circle. • Hire a career coach to help you sort it out • Start somewhere and keep going!
And, however comfortable you assumed you were with change, you may experience unexpected pushback, making this the ideal time to engage the support of a career coach with experience in helping professionals achieve better, faster, results. At KICKSTART Your Transition we offer a broad range of services customized to fit your needs.
©MWeisner2018