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Career Counsellor Psychologist Career Coach POSITIVE STEPS FOR A POSITIVE FUTURE
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New Career Resolutions |
New career resolutions
By Allison Tait (for http://yourlifeworks.ninemsn.com.au)
It's that time of the year... Whether you love them or hate them, most of us can't help but make new year resolutions. Make them count for your career this year.
If there's one thing most experts say about making resolutions, it's this: don't do it to yourself. The reasons are varied, but most have to do with setting yourself up for failure. Part of the problem is that we have resolve but we're just too general with the wording.
"I will lose weight", "I will save more", "I will quit smoking" — these are all time-honoured resolutions, all very worthy in their sentiment and all too loosely worded to be of much use.
The key to a good resolution is focus. With that in mind, we've compiled a list of 10 resolutions to make this new year.
Why will these be any different to the weight-loss/savings/quitting debacles of past New Year's Days? Well, firstly, they're all about making wise career decisions.
Secondly, they're divided into categories - one for those who are terminally unhappy in their current job and one for those who are happy enough but would like to make the most of 2008.
Thirdly, there are so many of them that you can't help but succeed at one!
Five career resolutions if you're unhappy at work
1. I will think hard about what I really want to do
"What do you really want to get out of bed and go and do?" asks Jacqui Rochester, a Brisbane-based registered psychologist specialising in career counselling and coaching. "Think about it and then learn about it. You need to look beyond the image or impression of the job - lots of glamorous job aren't very glam behind the scenes."
2. I will learn about myself
"The starting point for any career change is always oneself," says Rosemary Forbes, career development practitioner, People Focus. "Sit down and analyse what is causing your unhappiness - get to the bottom of the problem. If you can understand what is working and why and what isn’t working and why, you guard against repeating the same mistakes. This is not easy - self-analysis is very difficult."
3. I will learn from others
"Pick people's brains about their careers," says Rochester. "What did they do that was a really smart thing? What could they have done better? What mistakes did they make? How did they make changes when changes were necessary? You can learn a lot by listening."
4. I will seek help
"A professional listener can help you to see what the problem is," says Forbes. "Even a mentor or someone you trust and respect at work can be very helpful, providing a different perspective."
5. I will focus on other things
"Balance your worklife with something outside work that builds confidence and makes you feel good," says Rochester. "A hobby or your family are good choices but community work can add a feel-good factor not found elsewhere. As a bonus, community groups can also be a great way to network. You'll be amazed at who you find there."
Five career resolutions
1. I will be an excellent team player
"Be the person other people want to work with," says Rochester. "Be generous of spirit, share knowledge and experience and be prepared to learn from others as well. "
2. I will give myself a pay rise
"We set our own salaries," says Forbes. "We subconsciously settle for an amount we think we're worth - so you could be holding yourself back It's important to do a self-review on a regular basis and now is the perfect time. Give yourself permission to ask for a pay rise - you've got nothing to lose and most of the time you won’t get it unless you ask for it."
3. I will look at enriching my current job
"Make the most of your job while you're happy there by expanding what you do," says Forbes. "Take on extra projects, ask for extra responsibility."
4. I will build my networks
"Build your networks but be sincere about it," says Rochester "People will spot phoneys. It's not just about what you can get out of a relationship but what you can contribute to it. Be polite and honest when dealing with absolutely everyone, from colleagues and customers to couriers. "
5. I will think about the future
"Recognise that your career is not everything in life, but it is one of your most important assets," says Rochester. "Nurture it, don’t let it stagnate, but understand that there'll be ups and downs for everyone. Nothing stays smooth forever. Keep on learning. Put money aside for a rainy day, just in case. Make rational decisions about your career, not rash ones."
By Allison Tait (for http://yourlifeworks.ninemsn.com.au)
It's that time of the year... Whether you love them or hate them, most of us can't help but make new year resolutions. Make them count for your career this year.
If there's one thing most experts say about making resolutions, it's this: don't do it to yourself. The reasons are varied, but most have to do with setting yourself up for failure. Part of the problem is that we have resolve but we're just too general with the wording.
"I will lose weight", "I will save more", "I will quit smoking" — these are all time-honoured resolutions, all very worthy in their sentiment and all too loosely worded to be of much use.
The key to a good resolution is focus. With that in mind, we've compiled a list of 10 resolutions to make this new year.
Why will these be any different to the weight-loss/savings/quitting debacles of past New Year's Days? Well, firstly, they're all about making wise career decisions.
Secondly, they're divided into categories - one for those who are terminally unhappy in their current job and one for those who are happy enough but would like to make the most of 2008.
Thirdly, there are so many of them that you can't help but succeed at one!
Five career resolutions if you're unhappy at work
1. I will think hard about what I really want to do
"What do you really want to get out of bed and go and do?" asks Jacqui Rochester, a Brisbane-based registered psychologist specialising in career counselling and coaching. "Think about it and then learn about it. You need to look beyond the image or impression of the job - lots of glamorous job aren't very glam behind the scenes."
2. I will learn about myself
"The starting point for any career change is always oneself," says Rosemary Forbes, career development practitioner, People Focus. "Sit down and analyse what is causing your unhappiness - get to the bottom of the problem. If you can understand what is working and why and what isn’t working and why, you guard against repeating the same mistakes. This is not easy - self-analysis is very difficult."
3. I will learn from others
"Pick people's brains about their careers," says Rochester. "What did they do that was a really smart thing? What could they have done better? What mistakes did they make? How did they make changes when changes were necessary? You can learn a lot by listening."
4. I will seek help
"A professional listener can help you to see what the problem is," says Forbes. "Even a mentor or someone you trust and respect at work can be very helpful, providing a different perspective."
5. I will focus on other things
"Balance your worklife with something outside work that builds confidence and makes you feel good," says Rochester. "A hobby or your family are good choices but community work can add a feel-good factor not found elsewhere. As a bonus, community groups can also be a great way to network. You'll be amazed at who you find there."
Five career resolutions
1. I will be an excellent team player
"Be the person other people want to work with," says Rochester. "Be generous of spirit, share knowledge and experience and be prepared to learn from others as well. "
2. I will give myself a pay rise
"We set our own salaries," says Forbes. "We subconsciously settle for an amount we think we're worth - so you could be holding yourself back It's important to do a self-review on a regular basis and now is the perfect time. Give yourself permission to ask for a pay rise - you've got nothing to lose and most of the time you won’t get it unless you ask for it."
3. I will look at enriching my current job
"Make the most of your job while you're happy there by expanding what you do," says Forbes. "Take on extra projects, ask for extra responsibility."
4. I will build my networks
"Build your networks but be sincere about it," says Rochester "People will spot phoneys. It's not just about what you can get out of a relationship but what you can contribute to it. Be polite and honest when dealing with absolutely everyone, from colleagues and customers to couriers. "
5. I will think about the future
"Recognise that your career is not everything in life, but it is one of your most important assets," says Rochester. "Nurture it, don’t let it stagnate, but understand that there'll be ups and downs for everyone. Nothing stays smooth forever. Keep on learning. Put money aside for a rainy day, just in case. Make rational decisions about your career, not rash ones."
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