9 career resolutions for 2013 -- Career Center Blog

January 3, 2013

9 career resolutions for 2013

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By Karen Burns
NWjobs

A new year, a fresh beginning. That's the plan, anyway. Here are nine not-so-hard ideas to get you started:

1. Stop procrastinating. Seriously. You'll be amazed at how your productivity will soar. Your daily existence will become simpler and smoother, too.

2. Beef up your network. Join a trade or professional association, sign up for Toastmasters, volunteer for your favorite cause. Keep in mind that the key to networking is to make connections before you need them.

3. Set a goal. Is your long-range life plan is still a work in progress? Don't fret. Start by simply identifying one single goal and then working toward it.

4. Update your resume and your list of personal accomplishments. In theory, these should always be kept up to date. If yours are not, now is an excellent time to get with the program.

5. Clean, organize, declutter. A tidy workspace projects competence and confidence, and just makes you feel better.

6. Improve your work skills. Take a class, read a book. Find the holes in your game and fix them. It's a good mental boost, too. Our minds are happiest when they are growing.

7. Improve your people skills. Listen more. Talk less. Give people the benefit of the doubt. No matter how amazing you are at your job, or what your job is, you will always benefit from getting along with others.

8. Touch base with your references. The New Year is the perfect time to send them a friendly hello. It's a good way to be sure you still have their correct contact information, too.

9. Find a mentor. We all need someone to make suggestions, serve as a sounding board, tell us when we're off track and give us a kick in the behind when we need it. Idea: Share your resolutions with your mentor. Making yourself accountable for your plans exponentially increases the likelihood that you'll follow through.

P.S.: You don't have to tackle all of these, just the ones that speak to you.

P.P.S.: What? You're one of those people who never makes resolutions? Hmmm ... maybe you should.

Karen Burns is the author of The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl: Real-Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use. Email her at kburns@nwjobs.com.