2023 is rapidly coming to an end. It’s hard to believe another year has passed, but have you thought about where you are now and where you want to be next year at this time? Are you ready?
The holiday season brings many extra tasks, plans, and outings. It’s a busy time, but don’t let the next few weeks slip away. There is a ton of value in becoming ready for career and life after 2023 that goes beyond New Year’s resolutions. The new year is an obvious time to start fresh. If you have a great track record at following through on resolutions, you have my total support. Unfortunately, the idea of resolutions during this time has become an unsustainable cliché.
Let’s get real and ready because it’s not only about 2024. It’s about seeing the bigger picture and crafting a mindset that truly leads you to aligned opportunities and great places. This blog is definitely for dreamers who are also doers. It takes work to make those big ambitions become reality, but it also takes guts to dream beyond your current reality.
Here’s some food for thought as we close 2023:
- Follow up and reconnect with contacts you met this year or with contacts you lost touch with. The holiday season is a great time to check-in and get a coffee date on the calendar in the new year.
- If you are looking for a new opportunity, keep applying! Of course, enjoy the holiday season and don’t push yourself into overwhelm, but recognize that some companies will continue to recruit and hire during the holiday season.
- Registration is open for spring classes. Whether you are looking for continuing ed classes at your local community college, a certificate program, or ready to jump all in and finish that degree, continuing to learn is the cornerstone of your career and living a purpose-filled life. Worried about how to pay for it? There are options. Does your current employer have a tuition reimbursement or professional development benefit? Scholarships, grants, and other free tuition programs are out there, so do your research. Whatever resources you use, always ensure there is an ROI for your time, career, and personal growth.
- Get ready by making a plan. Recognize your values, skills, abilities, and barriers. Use this information to set goals by identifying areas of change and gaining a sense of direction. Remember, goals are stepping stones. Set small, achievable goals that will lead you to larger breakthroughs, accomplishments, and new goals.
- The holidays are an emotional time for many. Keep your spirits merry and bright by focusing on your plan. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and we all know this to be true. However, it’s not unusual to stay stuck in this cycle. Practicing self-care through connecting, learning, and planning will build your self-esteem and keep you motivated by taking action.
The fourth quarter is a time that I always remind employers of how to end the current year in a good place to start strong in the new year. Check out the 2023 Human Resources Year-End Checklist if you need to apply some of these concepts to your business. The idea of being ready is just as important to individuals as it is to employers. Those who value both career and self-development are typically higher performers in the workplace and display the attributes of leadership and resilience.
Employers, business leaders, and recruiters – pay attention to the resumes or inquiries that you receive over the next few weeks about a job opening or to learn more about your company. These are the folks who are intentional to connect and seek their next opportunity during a time when it would be easy to do other things. In other words, they are ready!
