New Year and the Reset Button

February 3, 2019 Michelle Green

Did you make a New Year’s resolution this year? Perhaps you vowed to exercise more; eat healthier; improve personal relationships or make a job change (internally or externally). Almost a month into the new year, I’ve already missed several of these goals or milestones set at the start of the year. Never fear, it is not too late to hit the reset button and get on track! When I didn’t have the beginning expected, I used Chinese New Year, Ground Hog’s Day, or the start of spring to start over. You may laugh, but I am just keeping it real.

For many, this is also a time where we set goals at work because it is a part of the performance management process at your job. A fresh start is what the new year offers, and often we are surrounded by advertisements encouraging us to make that change. While we align our work priorities with the organizational goals at work or “living your best life” as promoted on social media, it is a good time to review your career path. Today we will explore options for finding your career direction if you are in the early stages of your career or in need of a change and unsure where to start.

A component of career path requires answering this question, “Are I on the right track to achieve my short and long-term career goals?” Have the experiences gained in your current role or experiences outside of work better positioned you for where you want to be? Success is often viewed as vertical growth, such as, “moving up” to the next level in the current job function. However, the definition of success varies for everyone.

Early in Career or Need a Change

Another year under your belt and you begin to ask, “Is this it?” As an Human Resources leader, who enjoys travel, I approach each company/employer as a travel destination. Each destination offers the sights and experiences that are highly recommended and hidden gems that are found when you venture off the beaten path. So many times these are recommendations from a local. As the traveler, or employee, you determine the length of stay. Not an experienced travel, not to worry! Here are three easy steps on getting started:

Explore your Destination

Time is valuable, and how it is spent is important. Even if you are not sure what places you want to visit while at your destination, it is strongly suggested to make a list of the things you enjoy. As you think about this in relation to your job, make a list of the things you enjoy in your current role and about your profession. Make sure to note the tasks or responsibilities that bring you professional and personal satisfaction. It is equally important to make a list of the things you dislike and the reasons. Understanding what keeps you engaged and makes work fun is the key to identifying your roadmap.
Take online assessments that can give you insights about your interests, strengths, and potential roadblocks. As in travel, you want to spend the majority of your limited time engaged in activities that are of interest. Why spend hours in a museum if you dislike museums? There are so many other ways to soak in the history. Career path and growth are not a linear path. Some assessments that helped me over the years are CliftonStrenghts online talent assessment and Birkman’s Careertyping.
Talk to friends, coworkers, managers, and senior leaders in your organization to learn more about their career paths and options available based on your personal and professional interests. Taking time to reflect and prepare for the conversation. By no means am I recommending you follow their path, but getting ideas of potential options give you a starting point.

It may be obvious that travel is a relatable experiences for me. For you, it could be something else, such as photography, soccer, cross-country skiing, or a wine connoisseur-to-be. To keep things fun, might I suggest aligning your approach to finding your career direction or path to a passion or interest that is important to you. This makes it unique to you! Once you have more information, you can make a more informed decision about the options to explore. Like a vacation, you want to make the most out of your time in your destination. Have you had to hit the reset button? What approach worked well for you?