Here are 5 easy workplace resolutions to adopt, because you have started to think of your career goals for 2019. A great way to start is by setting a few concrete intentions that you’re certain, with a modicum of effort, you can achieve.
1. Don’t Eat Lunch At Your Desk
2. Negotiate All New Offers
Negotiation has rightfully become an increasingly popular goal (we all want that raise, right?), and it’s something you should continue to think about in 2019. From negotiating salary offers to bonuses, to raises, getting into the habit of viewing money discussions with employers as conversations — not pre-established rules.
Next year, consider setting a goal for yourself to negotiate, no matter what. This may look different for everyone: Maybe you’re a freelancer and want to negotiate your rates with your clients, or maybe you’re looking to ask for a raise this year and want to make sure you go back and forth about it before accepting.
Whatever it is, setting the intention of asking for more in 2019 is a great way to start boosting your self-confidence and flexing your negotiation muscles so that, in years to come, asking for more money will be a cinch.
3. Make A Monthly Coffee Date With Someone You Admire
Networking can sometimes feel like a chore. Some events are awkward, forced, or straight up boring. And, for introverts and people with social anxiety, it requires even more effort.
One way to break out of some of the more rigid forms of networking is to take matters into your own hands. Each of us probably has a shortlist of people in our field or industry whose work we admire. (If you don’t, you should make that list ASAP!) A great way to make sure you’re making connections, gaining skills, and getting some mentorship is to simply reach out to some of these people with a genuine note of appreciation and an ask to connect.
4. Go After Opportunities You Don’t Feel Fully Qualified For
Ever heard the statistic: Men apply for jobs when they meet 60% of the qualifications, but women only do if they meet 100% of them? Well, if you haven’t, it’s a thing.
Women often struggle with putting themselves out there for jobs they are not fully qualified for, which of course stems back to a long-winded history of being discriminated at work. But here’s the good news: You don’t have to continue this legacy.
Often, we limit ourselves by setting restrictions on the things we can and cannot do, whether it’s convincing ourselves that we need a degree for “that job,” or that a job isn’t worth applying for because we don’t meet all of the job listing’s requirements. For 2019, it’s time to cast off these self-limiting beliefs. Consider setting a goal for yourself to apply to a certain amount of jobs you may not feel like the perfect candidate for, but that you’re likely capable of succeeding at. See what happens. No matter what, it could be a great confidence-booster.
5. Attend Regular Professional Development Classes Or Events
It’s all too easy to get stuck in our daily responsibilities and tasks. Sometimes, we forget how important it is to gain new skills for long-term success.
If you’re considering breaking out of a current industry or role, or perhaps reaching for some of those jobs you may not feel completely ready for, one great way to build confidence is by setting a goal to take classes or attend lectures and professional development events. Whether it’s taking a class once a year, quarterly, or monthly, make sure you’re setting a goal that’s reasonable and attainable for your schedule and bandwidth.
