From getting a mentor to reading a career book (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Whether you’re hoping to get that promotion, leave your company, or move industries entirely, we all have our own career goals for 2023.
But there are a few work resolutions we all could make to help us get ahead on our desired career path.
Charlotte Davies, a career expert at LinkedIn, says: ‘As the year draws to a close, many of us are thinking about our career goals for 2023.Â
‘The arrival of the new year offers the perfect opportunity to reflect on the experience and skills you’ve gained in the last 12 months, and think about what your next step is to grow professionally. ‘
With this in mind, experts have shared six resolutions we all should make next year – to ensure we get the best out of our professional selves.
Say ‘yes’ more
It’s always tempting to turn down opportunities, due to a fear of failing or looking silly.
However, Ed Johnson, the CEO and co-founder of PushFar, says turning down these experiences could stop you from gaining valuable expertise and could lead you to miss out on skills that could be beneficial for your career.
He says: ‘This year, make a resolution to say yes to any career opportunities that come your way, no matter how scary they seem.
‘Once you say yes once, you’ll look forward to any opportunities that come your way.’
Attend a professional event
Networking events are the perfect chance to connect with other professionals in your industry.
Not only this, but they can help you to keep up to date with the latest trends in your sector, meet new connections, and learn about new opportunities that could be valuable for your career.
Ed says: ‘Although this can seem a daunting experience, you’ll soon gain confidence after attending a few networking events.
‘If you feel nervous, you can even start by dipping your toe in the water with an online event and working your way up to an in-person event in your local area.’
Find a mentor
Why not learn from someone who has already been in your shoes?
Ed explains: ‘Mentoring is a great way to not only progress in your career but on a personal level, too.
‘The right mentor can give you a foot in the door into new roles, provide strategic support and guidance, boost your confidence, and help you to stand out from your competition.’
If you don’t already know of anyone who could be a suitable mentor, then why not explain that you’re looking for one on LinkedIn or Twitter and see who comes back to you.
Improve your work-life balance
Make sure you’re getting enough down time (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
We talk about work-life balance a lot, but it’s important to consider whether you’re actually putting it into action and making it a priority.
Ed explains: ‘If you’re the type of person that stays late every day or misses family events to stay at work then a work-life balance is something you urgently need to work on in the next year.Â
‘When you deprive yourself of time off, it not only harms your mental health but also your company.
‘Without a good work-life balance, you’re more likely to experience burnout, which impacts on your productivity at work and in turn, on your career progression.’
Read a career book
Reading can give us a new and fresh perspective on so much things – so why not add a career book to your list for 2023?
Ed says: ‘Whether the book is focused on your specific industry, or a completely different field that you’re looking to gain more knowledge in, there’s definitely no harm in picking up a good book and obtaining new knowledge.
‘However, reading a book does take time, so set yourself a goal to read a new book each month if this is better-suited to your schedule.’
More: Lifestyle
Make your profile stand out
Good resolutions start with simple steps – like making sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and showing you off in the best possible way.
Charlotte says: ‘You’re more likely to be hired by someone in your professional network, so while this is a good move for anyone looking to make a career move, it’s particularly helpful for those seeking a new role.
‘If a career move is for you, once you’ve refreshed your profile, you can use LinkedIn to see who is hiring in your network. ‘
How to make New Year’s career resolutions:
Need some help making them? Pippa Ruxton, an executive coach at Polygon Coaching, suggests the following steps:
‘Start by visualising yourself one year from now, looking back on what you have achieved in the year gone by. Close your eyes and think about these questions: How have you spent your time? Who have you been surrounded by? What difference have your career achievements made to you?
‘Next, chunk down what you need to do to get there. View them as the steps to climb to where you want to get to. Think about who and what would go into your support system to provide you with help, encouragement or accountability. Identify the first manageable step that you need to take in 2023 to set you on your way.
‘Finally, recognise even with the greatest planning, some things will be unpredictable and will affect your resolutions. Counterbalance this by building your own resilience with self-care and focussing your energy on the things you can control. That way you will bounce back so much quicker from the inevitable curveballs.’
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These will help you get ahead on your desired career path.Â
