January 1, 2009 – Your Career Resolutions for 2009

Happy New Year! What a wonderful time. What an amazing thought. It is a terrific opportunity to reflect upon the year gone by and to look at what’s possible over the year ahead, both in terms of your personal life, as well as in your profession. And whether you’re simply looking to improve upon the career you’ve already started or wanting to make a change altogether, now is as good a time as any to begin having that dialogue. Here are FOUR quick hits on some New Year’s Career Resolutions for 2009...

Join a Professional Association. Jaycees. Rotary. Kiwanis. The Lions Club. A Young Professionals group. An organization such as the American Marketing Association or Future Business Leaders of America. There are tons to consider. It might be good to think about your time in school, and what you were involved with (or if you’re in school presently, what are you active with) and begin looking to see if those groups offer opportunities for alumni involvement. In joining a Professional Association, you will no doubt learn new skill sets, develop relationships, and find value by getting involved in a cause that is larger than yourself.

Learn Something New. Yes. We all know that you are on top of your game, but chances are that there is an opportunity for improvement somewhere. It might involve something at work, a certain skill set, that you can take classes on through a local college or community workshop. Or it could be that you’ve always wanted to learn about downhill skiing, and so you arrange a trip with friends to Colorado . It is vital, as you progress in life and your career, that you also continue to learn and experience new things, as they build upon each other, and continually develop the foundation for your success.

Seek out a Mentor (or Be a Mentor ). It’s that simple. I bet there’s someone, somewhere, doing something that you’re interested in. Seek them out. Talk with them. Have coffee. Share lunch. Thank them. And continue the correspondence or conversation as you go forward. And, I bet there are folks who would love to learn from you, to hear your experiences, and to know your thoughts on issues, so be open to them, and guide them as you have been guided.

Striving for Balance. As you begin to set these ‘career resolutions’ in motion, make certain you’re taking time for yourself. Take the time to re-charge. To re-energize. It might be getting up a half-hour earlier a few days a week to work out, or read a book, or even stopping by a coffee house on your way home from work, to briefly unwind and journal about the day and your accomplishments. It seems that if you’re going to go out and be there for others through involvement in and outside of work, it’s equally important to be there for yourself, and that means physically, mentally, and emotionally.

‘There is nothing noble in being superior to others. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self.’ – Unknown