Workplace Resolutions For The New Year

Every year, millions of people around the world make New Year’s resolutions. They focus on losing weight in the New Year or set a goal to save money. Sometimes these resolutions are successful but other times, they fizzle out before the last of the holiday decorations are even put away.

While we easily make New Year’s resolutions in our personal lives, we don’t often considering making resolutions for the new work year ahead of us. Making (and sticking) to workplace resolutions can go a long way in improving your work-life balance or taking the next step in your career. The options are endless but if you’re struggling to create resolutions at work, start with a few of these.

Learn Something New

While this may seem an obvious resolution, not enough workers focus on ensuring they continuously learn new skills or attend relevant trainings. Speak to your talent management team, if you have one, to determine what trainings or certifications you might be able to participate in. Set yourself a specific goal that ensures you have learned and applied a new skill or new knowledge.

If there are no trainings available at your company, talk to your supervisor about support for outside trainings or seminars. Many companies hold regular webinars for a low fee. It may be that your company will financially cover the training if it could be available to multiple staff members.

In the event you have no resources available inside the company and no financial support for external trainings, start browsing the library bookshelf. No matter what your industry or occupation, there are likely dozens if not hundreds of books you can read to hone your skills and sharpen your mind.

Step Away From Your Desk

If you look back on the previous year and realize you rarely left your seat during the day, make a conscious effort to get up and move more. Eating lunch at your desk isn’t healthy to do all the time. You need to give yourself a break from work to avoid burnout. We all get caught up working through lunch sometimes, but make sure it isn’t a daily habit. Find somewhere in your office, the building or even a public location nearby to enjoy your lunch free from distractions.

Resolutions at work can also benefit our personal health. Set aside 10-15 minutes each day to talk a walk around your office or outside, if possible. Not only will you be giving yourself a much-needed break from work, you are benefiting your personal wellness.

Eat Healthier At The Office

Office break rooms have served as the downfall of many well-intentioned dieters. Our colleagues are often dropping off endless supplies of donuts, cookies, day-old birthday cake, etc. You don’t often see an office breakroom with fresh bowls of fruit on the table or a daily salad option. Avoid the unhealthy choices in and around your office by making a commitment to bringing your own lunch every day. Not only will you know what you are eating is healthier, you will also save a few pennies.

When the office celebrations occur, give yourself a reasonable limit on how much you can indulge in. If there are two birthday celebrations during the week, tell yourself you can only have cake one of the days. Or, consider bringing in fresh fruit for your colleagues to share. If you really don’t have the will power to say no to the collection of goodies in the breakroom, just stay away! Avoid temptation by avoiding the breakroom whenever possible.

Make New Professional Contacts

Constantly enhancing our professional network should be a goal every year. It’s easy to stay in your comfort zone and stick with what (or who) you know. There are two places to look for new professional connections – inside your own company or outside in associations or networks.

If you decide to focus on developing new connections within your own organization, do some research on managers, partners or senior leadership you feel you could learn something from. Once you have determined who you want to connect with, start up a conversation. You might invite your company CEO to coffee or ask the manager of another department if they are free for lunch. Getting to know influencers at your own organization can benefit you in the future.

You can also decide to make connections with those in your industry but not at your company. In these cases, you should seek out local networking events in your industry or local conferences. There you should be able to secure at least a few introductions. It will be up to you whether you create a professional connection with them.

Use Your Vacation Time

Don’t be a victim of “use it or lose it” this year! Far too many American workers fail to take advantage of the time off they are given at their company. Even if financial constraints are preventing you from booking that summer vacation in Europe, schedule time off for yourself. Have a “staycation” or simply tack days off on to the weekends so you don’t have to deal with a case of the Mondays. Whatever you do, make a promise to yourself that you will utilize the time off you are given.

Resolutions can help keep you on track in your personal and professional life, but whatever you do, don’t create too many of them. If you are trying to keep up with a dozen resolutions, the likelihood of failure is greater. Pick a few things you want to focus on in this New Year and really apply yourself at making them work.

It’s also never too late to make a New Year’s resolution! Start now if you want or create a resolution half way through the year. Do whatever works for you and your goals!