Thinking about your career in 2017? Review, Plan and Take Action.
As we approach a New Year, one of the big things that are spoken about are change. New Year’s Resolution; losing weight, taking up a new hobby, learning a language, meeting a partner or changing your job, whether that be aiming for that next step on the career ladder or joining a new company that presents a different challenge.
Unfortunately, we can’t help you losing weight or meeting someone; but maybe we can point you in the right direction when thinking about your career in 2017.
1. The first step is reviewing your past year
Let’s look back on 2016, not as the year of Brexit, Trump and the deaths of music and Hollywood royalty but on YOUR year.
Here are some questions that you should ask yourself?
– Did I achieve my goals?
– Am I challenged?
– Am I being paid what I deserve?
– Am I appreciated?
– Do I enjoy what I’m working on?
– Do I like my job?
– Am I happy?
Let’s be honest if you realistically have not answered YES to the questions above, it may be time to look at something new. That doesn’t mean to say ‘change jobs’. But going in 2017, our goals should be turning those NO’s into YES’s.
Did I achieve my goals? If not, why and work on those reasons.
Am I challenged? Take on more responsibility, change projects.
Am I being paid what I deserve? Tell someone, speak to your manager.
Am I appreciated? Tell someone, speak to your manager.
Do I enjoy what I’m working on? Change what you’re working on.
Do I like my job? If this a no, it’s definitely time for a change!
Am I happy? Look at what’s making you unhappy and cut it out.
Life’s too short to be doing something you don’t love, aren’t challenged or appreciated.
2. Don’t Settle – Take Action!
I am going to quote two of the most recognisable names of world history, quotes I’m sure you’ve already heard; and there might be a reason for that – BECAUSE THEY’RE TRUE! Steve Jobs said, “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”
Let’s make 2017, the year we be brave and strive for happiness and fulfilment; strive for change. According to Albert Einstein, the definition of insanity is ‘doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results’.
This part will always, be the most difficult, it takes courage. To admit, that things potentially could be better. To leave somewhere you are comfortable in, or well liked, or have a lot of friends, or have worked for a long time. doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. If you don’t take care of your career, someone else will and it might not be the best outcome.
3. Achieving your Goals
It’s all well and good, reading this blog and thinking ‘in an ideal world, I’d love….’ If you are really serious about being the best you can be, it is important to write your goals down and be accountable for them. When you organise meeting a friend for a drink or coffee, by putting it down in your calender and blocking down a slot of time, you are far more likely to actually going through with it. Share this information, with someone close to remain accountable.
Now, I’m not saying this is easy, and there will be obstacles along the way and there’s no sure way to say that your next career change will be the Holy Grail. However, those who review, plan and take action achieve far more success and are content that those who wait for things to happen on them. I’ll leave you with a quote from Tommy Lasorda, ‘there are three kinds of people in this world: people who make it happen, people who watch what happens, and people who wonder what happened’
And there you have it, how to make 2017 one to remember!
And if the next step in your career is to get an awesome new tech job, give mentortalent.ie a visit or email us at info@mentortalent.ie and we can arrange a confidential call to see what’s out there.