2013 is done and dusted. With the start of 2014 I can pretty much bet that you have given some thought to what it is you’d like to change about your career this year. There are things that would have happened last year that you don’t wish to go through again. Then there are those good moments that you hope will repeat again. Whatever the resolution may be, you want to be able to look back at 2014 and revel in the fact that you turned your resolution(s) into a reality!
I have had my fair share of career-related resolutions over the years. Many failed resolutions and some significant achievements later, I am at a point where I can share with you some of my own tips that have worked for me and those that I need to put into practice this year.
1. Be realistic and take control
Having enthusiasm is a good thing but to overwhelm yourself with excitement in achieving all your goals quickly will most probably end in frustration and disappointment. We’ve all been there! There are many things in the work and economic environment that is out of your control. Focus on what is in your control and be specific about what it is you want to achieve, and then put actions into place. Identify your Top 10 resolutions then prioritise what matters to you most and be clear on the changes that are crucial for you to achieve first this year.
I have known many amazing and talented people throughout my career who felt that they were not rewarded nor recognised for their hard work in environments that are not known for their warmth or gratitude. Every single person, including myself at times, naturally grew in resentment of the situation and it left us jaded and completely dissatisfied and disillusioned. What I learnt from these experiences is that I am only in control of my attitude and response to my environment. I was neither responsible nor accountable for any behaviour or decision that was out of my control and therefore it was a waste of my emotional and psychological energy to get myself worked up about people or situations I couldn’t change. Once I understood this, every day seemed a little easier to get cope with and get through. The more you focus on the negative and on people / things you have absolutely no power over, the more you will feel worn out and miserable. If an environment or the people you work with are not conducive to your healthy state of mind and in achieving career success then it may be time to do something about it.
No matter how much you wish to switch jobs because it is just too painful to get out of bed each morning, the reality is that Australia’s current employment market is not a pretty picture. People are struggling daily and you don’t want to be in those shoes. So the next time your boss doesn’t thank you for your extra hours on a project, a business decision doesn’t go your way, your mate gets the promotion you were hoping for or your salary increase gets put on hold, refrain from reacting by handing in your notice. Instead of penning that resignation letter, take a moment to breathe and make a decision to really think about where you ideally want to be next. Get an idea about the kind of employer and role you want to be associated with and then focus on making it a reality.
Start networking with your contacts in person and via social media. Get in contact with recruiters you trust or whom your networks can recommend to you (Oryx People comes to mind myself!). Be disciplined about setting aside time each day for your job search (preferably not on your employer’s time!) and actively search each day. Widening the scope of your job search means that while you cannot search during the work day, the job search is being done for you!
Before you get all excited about your “dream job”, take stock of one very important yet simple concept – the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Evaluate your current job situation and decide on whether or not 2014 is the year to take that plunge into a new direction. You have two decisions to make – be wholly committed to a career change or wait a little and continue to give of your best to your current employer, even if the situation really sucks.
2. It’s all about balance
You are at work for most of your day and you most probably put in more hours than you need to. To make matters worse, having a smartphone means that you’re accessible in your own personal time. Where does it end?
My hard working parents have instilled in me a very strong work ethic but over the years they have continued to remind me that there are more invaluable things in life – things that if lost or broken, are hard to replace or get back again. I’ve had to learn this lesson the hard way more than once and let me tell you, it has never been pretty. To make matters worse, I didn’t just hurt myself but those who mattered to me most. Like most of you, I am conditioned by a number of expectations and pressures (society, employer and culture); conditioned to believe that in order to be successful in my career I need to sacrifice my relationships, health and general wellbeing.
The stark reality is that the more you neglect the people and activities you value most, the more you will find yourself stressed, lacking in focus, hating your boss, resenting your job and suffering from poor health. Striving to achieve your career goals is difficult enough and almost impossible when feeling battered and bruised. You probably asked yourself more than once last year if your burnout was even worth the pain and I bet each time the answer was “no”.
So what can you do to avoid the same heartache?
I. Limit time wasting activity during the day and work as efficiently as possible during your work hours
II. Focus your time on things that are in your control
III. Set boundaries – know when enough is enough!
Don’t just whine about what it is you wish you had time to do – make a conscientious effort to make time for it! A healthy life is a balanced one. There needs to be meaning to your life and existence – we weren’t created to be workaholics because there is a bigger picture. What does your bigger picture look like?
I have seen the power of work life balance when done right. Individuals whose spirit and lives were once broken had now transformed into people with spark, direction and a renewed purpose!
Getting another job is the easy part but losing what truly matters to you may be irrevocable.
3. Get physical!
“Healthy body, healthy mind” has been my own personal motto since making a commitment to incorporating healthy eating and daily exercise into my daily routine for several years now. It wasn’t an easy transition because it took discipline and sacrifice which has changed my life forever. I was no athlete and I was used to years of making excuses not to break a sweat – does this sound all too familiar to you? There came a point of realisation for me that at my relatively “young” age, I was not at my optimum and my career had contributed to years of stress, anxiety, lethargy and complacency – I was robbed of having quality of life at a time when I should be at my peak but it was purely my choice to sacrifice a healthy lifestyle for my career and I was completely to blame.
Physical activity doesn’t just do wonders for your body with weight control and prolonging optimal health but it contributes significantly to psychological benefits. The endorphins triggered by your brain during exercise leaves you feeling “euphoric”, stress and anxiety is reduced, you sleep like a baby and with feeling and looking good, you are naturally boosted with extra self confidence! After a bad day, there is nothing better than punching out your frustrations at boxing class (boxing with some big boys is my favourite outlet) or finding your zen at pilates – seriously. When you’re feeling good and your mind is in a healthy place, there is almost nothing that can bring you down!
Know your physical limitations and start slow, increasing the physical intensity as your fitness grows. With regular physical activity and daily discipline you will inevitably build up your strength and stamina to handle more activity. It’s time to stop the diet related chatter with mouths full of Monthly Birthday cake! Just try it for yourself and keep at it. Like any goal, set yourself a goal and realistic time-frame. Speak to colleagues who lead a healthy lifestyle and look to them to give you added encouragement and motivation. If it’s too intimidating to exercise alone, join a fitness group (I love me some pain at bootcamp personally) or rally up your partner or friend to keep you company (you get to have some quality chat time and lose some calories together)! If you need a push in the right direction and some professional advice, invest in a personal trainer. It is life-changing. Whether your motivation is to have Kardashian curves, Beckham abs or just be fit enough to play ball in the park with your kids without having to call an ambulance, believe me when I say that nothing bad comes from a daily commitment to exercise. I can almost guarantee that once you feel the amazing results and the rewards ripple through all aspects of your life, you will never look back.
Exercise and healthy eating must be a non-negotiable part of your life no matter what your routine is if you really want to live healthier and live longer. Life is too short to waste away sitting on your coach, guzzling a bottle of red (having your own Bridget Jones moment) during a pity party for yourself!
4. Put on some dancing shoes maybe?
Ok, so you may have two left feet and dancing is not for you but I’m sure if asked, you could tell me at least 5 activities you love and would like to do more – if you had time. My mother has always advised me to take up interests and invest in activities that ignite my passions, enthusiasm and motivation. She’s consistently encouraged me to consider setting aside time for myself in my crazy week and to be honest with you, it’s the best feeling! Why do we usually feel guilty about doing something for ourselves? Why do we often feel like we are being selfish when doing so? What is it that talks ourselves out of pursuing the very things we know would make us happy and enjoy a meaningful existence?
Learn to build those little activities into your schedule. It may be as small as an extra long hot bath, maybe tennis lessons or volunteering at the local animal pound. Whilst most of us live to work, we need to re-program our minds to think otherwise.
5. Soar with eagles
Ever since we were children, my father would instill in us the value of soaring with eagles and not flocking with turkeys. Why are parents always right? No matter how much you may dislike your current work situation, surround yourself with positive, encouraging, successful and inspiring individuals – people who make you laugh, people who genuinely care about you, people who celebrate your successes and those who help you when you’re in need. Don’t expect positive changes if you consistently engage with negative conversation. If your environment is unhealthy the last thing you need is for negative people to drain you.
Boy have I been in some toxic work environments in my lifetime but apart from it being an invaluable learning experience professionally and personally, I was given the opportunity to build friendships and rapport with some of the most inspiring and supportive people I have ever known; individuals who believed in me, shared a giggle with me and who held my hand when times were tough. It was these people who were critical in supporting my decision to further my career elsewhere and who have continued to celebrate with me my successes ever since.
Take responsibility for your own actions and responses. Don’t expect people to have to perk you up every day! Sharing your work experience with like-minded individuals should be a mutually-benefiting experience. Make the most of every small opportunity daily to uplift your colleagues and you will be uplifted yourself. You are probably not the only one having a bad day so bear a thought for your neighbour at work – a kind word or even a smile can be that little gesture that makes a big difference to their day! In his book The Art of Happiness, His Holiness the Dalai Lama writes “Although you may not always be able to avoid difficult situations, you can modify the extent to which you can suffer by how you choose to respond to the situation”. Try it and see.
Whatever 2014 may bring, I trust that you will view the year ahead with a renewed mind and spirit. Savour the good experiences along the journey and try to remain as resilient as possible when times are challenging. Ultimately, you are in control of your career. If career change is inevitable this year, jump into the deep end but make sure you have with you all the tools to keep you afloat!