"The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects
it to change. The leader adjusts the sails."
-- John Maxwell
Ten Career Resolutions
By Dan MillerMonster Staff Writer
Like the old saying, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life," it's
never abad time to start moving your career in a better direction.
Here are 10 New Year's resolutions to inspire you to great success
in 2010.
Pay Attention in Class
Treat every workday like a school day. Be sure you learn something and
use it to make yourself more productive. It doesn't have to relate to your
skills set. It may be as simple as understanding how to work with specific
peers or emotional intelligence. Take mental notes. Don't sleepwalk
through the day.
Look for the Next Rung
You need to excel at your job. This is how you gain credibility.
But understanding your next step is key to career happiness.
Career pathing is critical to remaining engaged on the job. Schedule
discussions with your manager to get clarity on the next challenge.
If you don't get it on your team or in your company, it may be time to
look elsewhere.
Understand Company Goals
Make sure you understand how your job contributes to your company's
business objectives. Are you in a revenue-generating role? A brand-
awareness role? Is your mission to delight the customer? Knowing how
your job fits into the big picture will give you inspiration and a sense of
accomplishment -- and will help you understand your job's impact.
Be Ethical
Bring integrity to your job. Whether you're running the company or cleaning
its bathrooms, be honest in all you do. Don't call in sick just to get a day off --
that's stealing. Put in an honest day's work. Be accountable. If you're working
remotely, be sure you are. Do what you say you're going to do. Honesty and
reliability mean a lot to your manager.
Stay Fit
OK, this was probably on your last New Year's resolutions list, but that's
because it's so important. Try to break a sweat for 20 minutes, three days
a week. Go for a walk at lunch. Join a gym. Lift weights. A healthy body
makes a healthy mind. Exercising increases blood flow to the brain and gives
you ideas. You'll be more productive at work, and best of all, you'll feel better.
Stretch Your Role
Occasionally think how you can go above and beyond. Are there projects
outside your defined role you could help with? Be proactive; ask to join.
Come up with your own ideas, and work with your manager to implement
them. If you're a hamster, step off the wheel and poke your head out of the
cage. Stretch a little. This won't go unnoticed.
Manage Up
Make sure you and your manager are in firm agreement on what you're
doing. Be proactive and get on his calendar to ensure you're meeting or
exceeding expectations. Don't assume he's paying close attention. There
are bad managers. If there's a disconnect between what you're doing and
what your manager wants, you're partly to blame. Don't wait until review
time.
Manage Across
Even if you work primarily alone, be sure to make time to understand your
peers' roles and how they go about their jobs. Show an interest. Don't just
choose a few friends and become part of a clique. High school is over.
You never know when you may need people -- or be reporting to them.
Communicate
Don't leave people waiting for answers. If you're in an email environment,
return emails promptly. Let people know what you're doing. If you're
working on a project, always ask yourself who needs to know about it, then
tell them. Talk to people; give them a heads up. And when someone helps
you out, be sure to thank him. It's amazing this even needs to be on a list,
but bad communicators abound. Don't be one of them.
Make Time for Play
Have fun. Work hard, but smile while you're doing it. No one likes a grump.
Approach each day with a positive spirit and stay loose. Enjoy your family
and friends as well. Make time for them -- and you. It's called work/life
balance. All work and no play makes life a chore.
Here are 10 New Year's resolutions to inspire you to great success
in 2010.
Pay Attention in Class
Treat every workday like a school day. Be sure you learn something and
use it to make yourself more productive. It doesn't have to relate to your
skills set. It may be as simple as understanding how to work with specific
peers or emotional intelligence. Take mental notes. Don't sleepwalk
through the day.
Look for the Next Rung
You need to excel at your job. This is how you gain credibility.
But understanding your next step is key to career happiness.
Career pathing is critical to remaining engaged on the job. Schedule
discussions with your manager to get clarity on the next challenge.
If you don't get it on your team or in your company, it may be time to
look elsewhere.
Understand Company Goals
Make sure you understand how your job contributes to your company's
business objectives. Are you in a revenue-generating role? A brand-
awareness role? Is your mission to delight the customer? Knowing how
your job fits into the big picture will give you inspiration and a sense of
accomplishment -- and will help you understand your job's impact.
Be Ethical
Bring integrity to your job. Whether you're running the company or cleaning
its bathrooms, be honest in all you do. Don't call in sick just to get a day off --
that's stealing. Put in an honest day's work. Be accountable. If you're working
remotely, be sure you are. Do what you say you're going to do. Honesty and
reliability mean a lot to your manager.
Stay Fit
OK, this was probably on your last New Year's resolutions list, but that's
because it's so important. Try to break a sweat for 20 minutes, three days
a week. Go for a walk at lunch. Join a gym. Lift weights. A healthy body
makes a healthy mind. Exercising increases blood flow to the brain and gives
you ideas. You'll be more productive at work, and best of all, you'll feel better.
Stretch Your Role
Occasionally think how you can go above and beyond. Are there projects
outside your defined role you could help with? Be proactive; ask to join.
Come up with your own ideas, and work with your manager to implement
them. If you're a hamster, step off the wheel and poke your head out of the
cage. Stretch a little. This won't go unnoticed.
Manage Up
Make sure you and your manager are in firm agreement on what you're
doing. Be proactive and get on his calendar to ensure you're meeting or
exceeding expectations. Don't assume he's paying close attention. There
are bad managers. If there's a disconnect between what you're doing and
what your manager wants, you're partly to blame. Don't wait until review
time.
Manage Across
Even if you work primarily alone, be sure to make time to understand your
peers' roles and how they go about their jobs. Show an interest. Don't just
choose a few friends and become part of a clique. High school is over.
You never know when you may need people -- or be reporting to them.
Communicate
Don't leave people waiting for answers. If you're in an email environment,
return emails promptly. Let people know what you're doing. If you're
working on a project, always ask yourself who needs to know about it, then
tell them. Talk to people; give them a heads up. And when someone helps
you out, be sure to thank him. It's amazing this even needs to be on a list,
but bad communicators abound. Don't be one of them.
Make Time for Play
Have fun. Work hard, but smile while you're doing it. No one likes a grump.
Approach each day with a positive spirit and stay loose. Enjoy your family
and friends as well. Make time for them -- and you. It's called work/life
balance. All work and no play makes life a chore.
