This could be your year to reach success. At the beginning of a new year, you have a clean slate to begin with. Anything is possible, so this year reach for the dreams and goals you've set for yourself in years past. Consider these tips to help you find success in 2015.
Examine your skill set
One of the first things you need to do is look at your skills.1 What are your positive or favorable assets that you bring to a company? How could your presence improve a company's current standing? What skills are you looking to hone that you haven't developed yet? These are the kinds of questions that will help you recognize what you have to offer and what you'd like to offer. Even if you're currently employed, it's always a good idea to continually work on yourself.
“Take initiative and create a thought out plan on how you will achieve your set goals and dreams.”
Don't hold off
People will often play with the thought of something but never actually put that thought or dream into action. Today is the day. Don't wait any longer. Take initiative and create a thought-out plan on how you will achieve your set goals and dreams. Though it may take awhile, having a step-by-step plan is a great starting point and something that can help keep you on track.
Identify your strengths and weaknesses
While figuring out your plan, it's important to be honest with yourself. Look at your strengths and weaknesses and develop a plan to work on those areas. View yourself as a product that is for sale. What downfalls do you have that might lower your value? Consider following industry news and journals, listening to podcasts or reading a book on how to garner the right professional skills in your industry.
Be proud of yourself
Even if it's a small accomplishment, you should always pat yourself on the back for your successes.2 Being aware of your strides will only give you confidence and push you to keep working toward your goals and dreams. Taking small steps and rewarding yourself for those steps when you achieve them, is a great way to measure your success. Once you've completed several steps, you'll be able to pull away and be proud of the big picture. You might even be surprised at where you began.
Know what you're up against
You should always identify the competition in your career, whether it's within your office or other candidates applying for a job. Be mindful of what others might bring to the table that you don't. Instead of being spiteful, learn from others and develop those skills yourself to help you appear as a viable candidate. You should also know that others are not better than you – they just have different strengths. You may have personal skills that the competition doesn't have. It's important to be aware of these strong suits to remain confident in yourself.
1 www.forbes.com/sites/lisaquast/2015/01/05/how-to-turn-2015-into-a-year-of-career-success/
2 hrweb.berkeley.edu/learning/career-development/goal-setting/career-plan-vision