5 TIPS TO MAKE 2019 YOUR BEST YEAR EVER!
This time of year is magical. Our days are enveloped in glitter, lights, and music. We attend the work parties, spend time with family, and over-indulge on food and cocktails (I do, at least). All the December jubilation is momentum for the big crescendo of January 1st. The fireworks go off, the calendar is reset, and our next 365 days have yet to be told. This is an exciting time because we welcome what is fresh and new. This is the time to reset, reboot, and consider what you want out of your career in 2019. Even though our coming days are unwritten, you can plan your goals and activities to manifest what you want to happen now!
1. Take time to reflect.
As your work year begins, take time to do a personal assessment. We all have strengths and areas of opportunity. Consider the past year’s accomplishments and challenges. Think about what worked well for you and what did not. Maybe you had a project that didn’t go as well as you would have liked, or perhaps there was a situation with a co-worker you could have handled better. Whatever it is, think about what would you do differently today? Answering these questions forces you to be honest with yourself and gives you the awareness and ability to guide your coming year. Begin to practice your new ways and watch your professional growth soar.
2. Write it into action.
I’m a big believer of writing into action. Once you write something down on paper, it is a commitment to yourself, and only you are accountable. Write into action this year by writing down your professional goals for 2019. Think about what you want to achieve in your near future. It could be a promotion, obtaining new clients, or even attending a specific training class. Document your goals by putting a timeline together by quarter to highlight your planned activities for the upcoming year and watch your success follow.
3. Write your own review.
Be proactive and write your own yearly review. Highlight all of your achievements and contributions to the company from the previous year and schedule a meeting with your manager to discuss them. This facilitates an open dialogue and shows that you are reflective, engaged, and want to continue to grow and develop. Your boss will appreciate this, and it will leave her with a good vibe when it comes time for her to write yours!
4. Plan your vacation time now.
Don’t procrastinate! It is easy to let this slip by, especially when we are just coming back to work from the holiday season. But, put your vacation days on your calendar now! Schedule for spring, summer, and the end of the year. Even if you don’t know where you will be going yet, just get the time on your schedule. Doesn’t matter if you go to a beach or do a staycation. Planning for vacation now helps you ensure your work life balance and you will be more productive and fresh year-round. Don’t deny yourself of this.
5. Reward yourself.
Admittedly, I just started doing this in my work life. I never let myself experience a reward for my hard work as I was already on to the next thing. I didn’t allow myself the space to feel positive from a deal I had closed or landing a new account. The product of this cycle was the constant dwelling in what I had not yet accomplished, which led to negative thinking. Thus, I have learned to reward myself and I encourage others to do the same. Your reward may come in the form of drinks with friends, a new bag, or just sitting in silence. Regardless, this year, reward yourself and allow yourself the positivity. Do you know what positivity leads to? More positivity.
2018 is in the rearview mirror. Let’s welcome 2019 by deciding how your goals and rewards will reveal themselves—you have the power to make it your best year ever!
Holly Caplan is a workplace issues expert, career coach, and author of Surviving the Dick Clique: A Girl’s Guide to Surviving the Male Dominated Corporate World. For more information, please visit, www.hollycaplan.com and connect with her on Twitter, @hollymcaplan.
