Tweet

Make 2008 the Best Year of Your Career

Written by: Anne Walsh

Article Overview: Yep, folks, it’s that time again--a time to set resolutions which we seem to assume we won’t keep, a time to think about really getting the job of our dreams. Here are some ideas/steps for making 2008 the best year of your career. So, why not take 2-3 hours to think about how you can make 2008 the year of your career

Make 2008 the Best Year of Your Career

Yep, folks, it’s that time again--a time to set resolutions which we seem to assume we won’t keep, a time to think about really getting the job of our dreams. Here are some ideas/steps for making 2008 the best year of your career. So, why not take 2-3 hours to think about how you can make 2008 the year of your career.

Acknowledge the Accomplishments of 2008

Begin by reviewing what really worked for you in 2008. What were your triumphs? What did you do that you were really proud of? Did you get a new account? Increase your sales? Streamline the systems in your job? What did you enjoy doing during the year? Identify the parts of the job that you really got a buzz out of. Write them all down. The chances are you will begin to remember triumphs and achievements that you had forgotten. Acknowledge them. Even if you think you had no triumphs--you survived without getting fired--that counts, as well.

Identify Your Strengths – Know What You are Good At

What do you do really well? What do you do so well that it’s effortless for you and you assume any plonker could do it? What do other people give you really positive feedback on? These are some keys to your strengths. Another useful way to identify your own strengths is to take some of the psychometric tests available. Some of the better known ones are: DISC, Myers-Briggs and the Enneagram. Do a google for any of them, and you should be able to do one online free or for a reasonable price. Self-knowledge is a key component of finding your dream career. Knowing what you are not so good at is useful, as well.

Where Can You Contribute? Make the Present Better

Given that it’s unlikely that you will have an invite on Monday morning to your new job, what can you do in the meantime to improve your contribution to your current position. You could begin by simply asking your boss how you can serve the organization better. Admittedly he/she could be gobsmacked at first, but they probably will then be impressed, and this could help improve your relationship with them. Can you be kinder to other people in the office? What would be the one thing you could do in your job that would raise your game? How could you bring some of the strengths that you have identified to your current position? Are there any openings within the company where you could use these strengths? Could you reach out a helping hand to someone else? What can YOU do to make your workplace a better one for everyone?

Dream It and Then Do It

Imagine yourself a year from now in your dream job. Write down what you will be doing, what sort of environment you will be working in. Will you be working outdoors? In an office? Be as detailed as possible. Now, do you know anyone doing a job like this? See if you can organize to meet them. Ask your friends if they know anyone. People are generally very helpful. Ask if you can interview them about the positives and negatives of their position. This will give you a more realistic picture. Laura Berman Fortgang in her book Now What? 90 Days to a New Life Direction has an excellent section on this.

Paralysis by Perfection

One thing I hear from a lot of my clients is that they want to be sure this is the “right” job they will move to, they want to be sure they have identified the “right” career for them. And in the meantime, they moan and groan about their current position and agonize over what their “perfect” career might be. In our current world, you will probably change careers 4-5 times anyway, and you will learn something from every career choice. Identify what you want, what’s non-negotiable for you, and if you get 100% of that and 80% of the rest and your gut feeling is good--go for it. Life is constantly presenting new opportunities and getting a new job is not for life: unlike a dog or a marriage.


By line
Anne Walsh is a life coach based in Connemara, Co. Galway, Ireland. You can sign up for her free newsletter Bring your best self to light at www.annewalshcoach.com which will give you tips, hints and ideas as to how to generate more personal and professional success.

Related Articles
  Moment of Good Financial News Zen: Shark Attacks Down
  Career Tune-up: Maintaining your Professional Path
  New Year - New Beginnings
  Make 2008 your best year ever
  Career Resolution Tip

Article Tags: boss, buzz, current position, dream career, dreams, enneagram, finding your dream, google, monday morning, myers briggs, new job, plonker, positive feedback, psychometric tests, resolutions, self knowledge, triumphs



Related Forum Posts
How to valuate a business - Hi Garth - here is how we did it at Northern Crown Capital when I was helping them raise venture capital for Toronto-based entrepreneurs. Assume the start date is 2003 so 2008 projections are 5 years out: How Northern Crown Capital Valuates a Business 2008 Financial Projections Earnings Before Tax $5,865,000 Tax Rate 42% Taxes $2,463,300 Net Earnings $3,401,700 Amount Seeking to Raise Today $3,500,000 Discounted Value of Future Opportunity, 5 Years Out 2008 P/E Ratio 15 Value of Company in 2008 $51,025,500 Discount Rate Applied 30% Year 2008 $51,025,500 Year 2007 $35,717,850 Year 2006 $25,002,495 Year 2005 $17,501,747 Year 2004 $12,251,223 Value of Company at Investment in 2003 $12,251,223 Less: Investment Amount $3,500,000 Present Value $8,751,223 Discount for Risk & Private Company 40% Less: Discount for Risk & Private Company $3,500,489 Private Company Value $5,250,734 Present Value (What the Owner Keeps) $5,250,734 60.00% Financing (What the Investor Gets) $3,500,000 40.00% Total $8,750,734 100.00% I hope this helps!
Re: Moderators on vacation - I will be on vacation from Dec 23, 2008 - Jan 5, 2009 - See y'all in the New Year! Happy 2009 to All!!!
Re: Quote of the Day - "The only people witho - Thanks for sharing this Evan, there are some very powerful quotes in there, I particularly like this one:- You are now at a crossroads. This is your opportunity to make the most important decision you will ever make. Forget your past. Who are you now? Who have you decided you really are now? Don't think about who you have been. Who are you now? Who have you decided to become? Make this decision consciously. Make it carefully. Make it powerfully. regards, Mal.
Re: Why isn't Starbucks instant coffee selling? - I didn't know about Starbucks instant coffee. However, at the other end of the market, Nestle''s Nespresso is continuing to do well and grew by 30% in 2008, which is pretty impressive in any year, but especially in 2008!! David
Re: Require Info on CAD Fed/Prov Grants for Restaurant Start-up - I know the Ontario government is starting a "Second Career" campaign, full of internship opportunities for new chefs and catering staff. It may be worth your while to research the possibilities with that. It may work itself out to be cheap labor in the form of a grant. Good luck regardless!


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

African Technology Development

International Employment Background Checks

Intro to Search Engine Optimization

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.