If the last couple of years have taught us anything, it’s that we don’t have as much control in our lives as we like to think. But at the same time, we can control our own actions. Let’s take ownership of our career paths and make some useful freelance career resolutions!
Career resolutions are essential
Our working lives take up a lot of our time. Many of us spend at least 40 hours per week at work, plus time to commute. If we subtract sleep from the 168 hours we have in a week, more than one-third of our waking hours are working hours. It’s typical for people to spend more time with their coworkers than their family.
How do you feel about that?
In your current career, are you fulfilling your potential? Are you respected? Well-paid?
If your answer is no, you’re sacrificing one-third of your valuable waking hours to a career that’s not right for you.
That is unacceptable, if you ask me. You deserve more than that.
So, here are three New Year’s resolutions I recommend to anyone in a less-than-ideal career.
Resolution #1: Do work that fulfills you
Note: I used the word “fulfill” on purpose—I didn’t say “makes you happy.” It’s completely unrealistic to always feel overjoyed about your job. But it’s reasonable and important to feel proud of your work, be respected by your peers and boss/clients, and be challenged enough to feel interested and involved.
Not sure what career offers all this for you? Begin your search.
Resolution #2: Learn the skills you need to make a change
Here’s another thing to keep in mind: You have to try something out before you can know for sure. But rather than intimidating you, think of all the skills you’ll be able to learn as you’re finding the right career.
So many people avoid learning something new just because they don’t already know how to do it. But learning is part of being human.
Regardless of what career shift you’re looking at, be open to the process of obtaining the knowledge you need. Adults don’t usually have to learn something new—which means you will have to leave your comfort zone. And that’s going to create resistance in your brain. A very loud part of your brain is designed to prevent you from straying from your comfort zone. Even if straying is the best thing for you.
Part of this resolution is being prepared to encounter resistance. You will want to procrastinate. Or you may hear a voice in your head telling you things like, “Ooh, you’re not very good at this. You should just stick with what you know. Things aren’t SO bad…” Sometimes, you will feel nervous, discouraged, and frustrated.
And that’s okay. Keep doing the work, and those feelings will fade. When you feel discouraged or afraid, recognize it for what it is—resistance—and take the next step anyway. If the next step is too big, divide it into tiny steps that are laughably easy. (Think, “open an internet browser.” Check. “Type in wix.com.” Check.) Tiny items like that don’t stir up any resistance, so you can make serious progress. Write a list, and check items off as you go.
Resolution #3: Align your time with your priorities
How you spend your time reflects what you really care about. If you say you want to get fit but you watch Netflix rather than going to work out or for a walk in the park, you are showing your actual priorities: Your health is less important to you than entertainment. That might be a hard truth to acknowledge.
Yes, relaxing is important for a lot of reasons. We all need to take some time off!
But there are only 24 hours in a day. If episodes of your favorite show are taking precedence over your resolutions (working out, writing a book, spending time with your significant other, learning a new skill, or building your business…) then your priority is clear.
So, resolve to align your time with your actual priorities: Even 15 minutes every day can help you make real progress. The trick is to be persistent and consistent.
You can break big resolutions into smaller items like milestones, priorities, and tasks. Check out this post, which will help you create your own planner.
It doesn’t matter exactly what you do as long as you resolve to be intentional about your career (and your life) this year. You deserve it.
Your Turn
Which career resolutions are you going to make? Any of these? All three? Let me know in the comments below!
Last Updated on January 6, 2024.
