HOW TO START 2024 THE RIGHT WAY AS A PROFESSIONAL
The New Year is a time when growth is prioritised in many areas, including people’s professional lives.
And obviously, you don’t need a New Year to start fresh but something is inspiring about it. Yet, by the end of this week, 23% of people will quit their resolutions (Inside Out Mastery)… this means the inspiration is often short-lived.
And if you’re looking to commit to a big goal, such as:
A promotion
Completing a big project
Working on a specific skillset
Then you need enough motivation to carry you through the entire year - not just this week.
So if you want to get to the end of 2024 satisfied with what you achieved at work – keep reading.
REFLECT ON 2023
You can’t move forward in your career unless you know what mistakes you made and how you can improve.
Maybe it’s to improve in an area of expertise, enhance your interpersonal skills, or work on your organisation. Whether it’s physical or mental – there will always be something to work on that will help you approach and efficiently complete your work.
But don’t forget to celebrate yourself.
Ending the year with only negative points may seem like a good way to push yourself but it can seriously demotivate you. So even if it’s a small win or a win only you would recognise – acknowledge it. Those small wins will be the things that help you achieve big things in the future.
People who have a positive mindset on life experiences are significantly less depressed and anxious (Mayo Clinic). And if you’re an ambitious individual who puts a lot of emphasis on your work performance, this is crucial. When you remind yourself that you are capable, it will inspire you to keep pushing for the better.
SET REALISTIC BUT CHALLENGING GOALS
Goals are probably one of the first things you think about when starting the New Year. They’re how you track progress and celebrate improvements. But people face one of two problems when they make new goals:
They make unrealistic goals
They make ridiculously easy goals
Both set you up for failure.
To get to a goal, there are consistent changes that need to take place. Consistent changes in your mindset, and your daily habits. If a goal is too hard, the changes won’t be sustainable. If a goal is too easy, there won’t be any challenge to truly change.
Let’s say you’re working towards becoming a manager in 2024. It’s not just the title of ‘Manager’ you’re working towards.
It’s:
Leadership skills
Building trust with your managers
Working on organisation and time management
Having the skill set to be an example to a team
Goals aren’t set just to achieve a goal, goals are set to mould you into an enhanced version of yourself.
So set a goal that you know you can achieve – but with true discipline. Then rather than expecting achieving it straight away, break it down into weekly, monthly, and quarterly goals. This will keep you from falling into the 23% of people who give up because they’ve demotivated themselves.
Reorganise, reorganise, reorganise
For students, September is the ‘new year’. With back-to-school clothes, stationary, and planners selling from August, they’re planning for a fresh start. Not only does this prepare them but it makes things feel new, exciting, and structured.
So realistically - professionals should take a leaf out of their book.
According to Select Health, keeping your life organised can:
Reduce stress
Help you sleep better
Increases productivity at work
So it’s probably time to do a clear-out and start afresh for the New Year. Some things you can reorganise include:
Your desk
Your desktop files
Your bag
Your car
Your house
There’s no point in wanting a new start in January with old filing systems (and old files in general). Enhance your productivity by organising, and committing to staying organised.
ASK YOUR BOSS FOR INPUT
Having the self-awareness to know what you need to work on is great, but it can always be improved when you get input from someone else.
Not only has your boss watched your performance so they know specific areas of improvement, but they’ve also succeeded in their careers. They know what mindsets work and what don’t and they know the level of discipline that goes into success.
Not to mention, once you’ve told your boss what you’re trying to work on – they can hold you accountable by asking you how you’re getting on. No getting out of it now!
FIND A HOBBY
Harvard Business Review found that people who take part in leisure activities may have fewer negative emotions and are less stressed. The study even found that are heart rates lower when we engage in our hobbies.
It’s good to find other things to fuel your mind outside of work. Improve on something that doesn’t make you money, no one is tracking your performance, and you can do it for fun. Whether it’s learning an instrument, aiming to read 20 books in the year, or delving into a historical subject you find interesting.
Enjoying your life outside of work is imperative for doing well inside of work. Socialise, find a sport, enjoy the outdoors, and take time to unwind.
Although your goals may be mostly related to work – kickstarting the new year is about building habits that benefit you as a person, make you happier, and give you a purpose. Your personal goals and personal relationships matter, and focusing on these will help you to show up and do well in the workplace.
- Written by Oliver Howson
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