New Year’s Resolutions for Your Work Life

A New Year marks a fresh start and often sparks the urge for self-improvement. How about setting some work goals for the New Year that will make it your best work year ever?

1. Do five things to stay healthier at work

Everyone is concerned about health, and losing weight is one of the most common New Year's resolutions. You spend a lot of time at work, so consider what you can do for your health while you're there. Pack a sensible lunch. Take the stairs. Get up and stretch every hour. Test out a standing desk. Switch your office chair for an exercise ball. Think small and you'll find that those little things add up.

2. Learn a new skill

No matter what line of work you are in, there are hundreds of new skills you can learn that could benefit your career. Is there one you've been meaning to learn? Set it as one of your work goals for the year and get it done. You won't regret it. If it can enhance your work in your current job, your company might even be willing to pay for it!

3. Read one career-related or motivational book

Reading does wonders for your mind. No matter your job, there is a book out there that can improve your performance, your outlook, or your personal habits. Even if you think you already know what you need to know, reading a great book on professional development can give you a new perspective.

4. Update your CV

When is the last time you gave your CV a thorough look-through? Is the style of your CV still current? Is the information correct? Make it a work goal for the year to review and edit your CV, even if you don't plan on looking for a new job. It's always best to update your CV periodically before you lose track of the information you need. For more advice on this, contact one of our recruitment advisers who would be glad to help.

5. Review and improve your LinkedIn profile

In the professional world, LinkedIn is crucial to your overall personal brand. Just like a CV, you need to keep the information, tone, and look of it up to date. Check out some of your connections' profiles and see if they're doing anything different that positively grabs your attention. If so, tweak your page to create a similar effect.

6. Clean out your physical and digital filing

This New Year's resolution idea can double as one for home too! Many of us have filing that is filled with old papers that are not remotely relevant to our work anymore. It doesn't take long to clean them out, and you'll be glad you did. Weed through those files, recycle what you don't need, and organise the rest. This goes for your computer files, too.

7. Sign up to follow one relevant blog or podcast

There is a world of free information, insider tips, and great motivational writers online. Find a blog or podcast that you enjoy, whether or not it's specific to your industry, and sign up to follow it. Don't know where to find one? Ask around the office. If you find one your co-workers like, it also becomes a topic for conversation. Win-win!

8. Volunteer

Volunteering has many benefits and is a great way to positively affect the world, and it's also another way you can feel good about yourself. Find a cause that is meaningful to you and sign up to contribute. You can feed the homeless, pick up litter in a park, raise money for a new local pool, whatever you like. If you really want to step up your game, see if you can get your office to make an official event of it and recruit co-workers to volunteer with you.

9. Get one new professional certification

Is there an empty spot on your CV where you wish you could put “XXXX Certified?” Stop wishing and make it happen! This is a great idea for one of your work goals for the New Year as it can advance your career. If it costs money, just think of it as an investment in your future.

10. Attend one professional networking event

Networking events are a great opportunity to meet other professionals in your industry that live in your area. You get to make new connections as well as stay on top of what's happening in your field. Of course, networking events are not comfortable for everyone, so you don't have to attend them every week. But it is a good idea to put yourself out there at least once per year so you can reap the benefits of these professional gatherings.

Now that you've made your New Year's work resolutions, it's time to put on your party hat and ring in the New Year!