The end of the year is a great time to reflect on the past year to prepare for the year ahead. Have big career goals for the new year? Or maybe you're not exactly where you want to be, but you don't know where to start to get you in the right direction.
Trying to find a new job in the new year? Or just want to set up your new year right with some new goals?
Join us for this 12 Days of Careermas with a collection of small self focused activities designed to help you get your career where you want it. Close out your year strong and start your new year with a new chapter of an elevated version of YOU!
Day 1 - Reflection
Every journey starts with a moment of reflection. In the process of self awareness, it’s helpful to ask yourself a few reflective questions. Today, take a moment to ask yourself the following questions:
Am I who I want to be at this time in my life?
What strengths, opportunities and obstacles do I have right now in my life?
Am I setting myself up for success right now?
What is holding me back from reaching me goals?
Reflection can be achieved though mindful moments, meditation, or even journaling. These questions can be a lot. If your mind is wandering down a rabbit hole, don’t be afraid to take a moment to write it down.
Day 2 - Get Clear
Before you can get too far ahead, you have to first get grounded. Now that you've reflected, tune into yourself!
Take a moment to think about your values. What’s important to you? What drives you? What motivates you to do more? Getting clear on this, will help you align to where you want to go.
Maybe it’s not that simple, but what can you to do dig deeper?
Try this:
Did you know, a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) Analysis doesn’t just have to be something done for the business? Try it on yourself, with a Personal SWOT! Download this Personal Mini SWOT activity page to start tracking your thoughts.
DOWNLOAD for FREE
Day 3 - Self-Audit
Now that you’ve done some digging, you are clear on your values and your strengths, what’s next? Let’s connect your values with your career. Take a moment to think about your career. When it comes to your future what does your career look like? Are you wanting personal growth, more responsibility, increased income?
Try this:
Let’s do a little exercise. Focus on the following 3 areas: Business/Career, Personal Growth and Finances. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being least satisfied and 10 being the most satisfied, identify what number would you assign each area as of today. Next, think about where you want to be on a scale of 1-10. Remember, if everything starts at a 10, there is no room for growth. See activity below to try writing this out.
The number you assign to where you are today is your starting point. The number you assign for where you want to be will be your goal.
Day 4 - Build Habits
Looking to advance or find a new job? Habits are a consistent behavior that repeats usually subconsciously. Building helpful habits could make the difference for you in your next chapter.
Now that you’ve done a little bit of a self-audit. What came up for you in where you are today and where you want to be? Why are you not where you want to be? What habits are helping you achieve career goals, and what habits might be hurting you?
Try This:
Struggling with some habits that might be hurting you? Not sure how to identify what habits are truly helping you? Here are 3 podcast that talk about habits
1.UFYB - This podcast, led by Kara Loewntheil Master Coach and lawyer, uses psychology, feminism and coaching to rewire your brain to get what you want in life.
Note: Consider Episode: The High Five Habit & Self Encouragement
2. The Law of Attraction Changed My Life - This podcast focuses on the Law of Attraction and how to apply different techniques to manifest.
Note: Consider Episode: Miracle Morning: 6 Habits That Will Change your Life Before 8am or The Power of Habits, Rituals & Why Self-Discipline Is The Ultimate Self Care
3. Habits of a Goddess - this podcasts focuses on daily affirmations and tips on self-care, mental health and spirituality.
Note: Consider Episode: Letting Go of Expectations Affirmations
Day 5 - Consistency
Building habits cannot be complete without consistency! But in this busy world, it’s tough to keep consistent, especially in the job market. Keeping consistency, is what makes a new habit stick. Meaning, you’re more likely to see the outcome you desire, even if it occurs slowly over time.
As you are closing out the year, what are some things that can help you keep consistency as you set up new goals for the year to come? Remember, consistency is not about keeping things perfect, it’s about the repetition.
The first thing to recognize is there is a bit of a science to consistency. The Law of Inertia states: Things in motion tend to stay in motion, and things at rest stay at rest unless acted upon by a force. So in contrast, if no force is applied, equilibrium will settle back in.
When creating new habits, your new habit is YOU shifting energy. YOU are creating a force in order to disrupt a current habit. Sounds like a lot of work huh? It is! Don't forget equilibrium here. Positive consistent action is what leads to positive results, so when things settle, all your hard work you put in will settle in a positive way.
According to the Harvard Business Review in an article about building habits, consistency can “start with nudges.” Nudges are referenced as a way to slowly build to full routines. The article also recommends practical steps to help kick start some habits, like setting a schedule or even microhabits: “incremental adjustments that (over time) move you closer to achieving your goals. Think of them like stepping-stones that lead to your final destination” (DePaul). When taking practical steps for things like strengthening your network, post-it notes are a great reminder to push you to take small action.
Closing out today, remember, when on the track to achieving your goals:
“There is no one GIANT step that can take you there! But consistent and small steps can”
- Unknown
Day 6 - Reflect...Again!
Okay, so it’s been just about a week. if you’ve been following this challenge, you’ve probably learned a thing or two. Hopefully, you’ve learned something about yourself as well. Maybe you’ve learned what’s working for you and what’s maybe…not so much.
In the process of keeping consistency, reflection is also something to add to that list. The power of reflecting again, it allows you to make adjustments and changes to ensure your intentions with your habits and routines are working for you and not against you.
Today, ask yourself a simple question: “Is there anything I need to Add, Delete or Edit to my current routine or habits?”
If the answer is yes, which there is always room for improvement, what small step can you take today to make that change?
Day 7 - Confidence
Confidence in the career advancement journey is absolutely key to success. But easier said than done most times.
A lot of times, confidence is blocked by fear. When confidence is blocked by fear, it can really take over a whole narrative, especially when you are thinking you are not good enough for that next role or challenge.
Ever heard of something called Imposter Syndrome? Imposter Syndrome is the belief that one is undeserving of their achievements. Confidence can certainly be disrupted by Imposter Syndrome.
In the journey to advancement, how are you feeling about your confidence? How would you rate your confidence level on a scale of 1 to 10? Still have some fears that are coming up for you?
Try this:
Take some time to conquer your fear. Breaking it apart and get to the root of your fear. This will be your best battle weapon. Knowing what is causing your fear will help you learn how to conquer it with confidence! Try this activity sheet to work out your fear fully.
Day 8 - Money
Money is an important topic when it comes to the career journey. It could be the motivation for finding a new job or advancement.
While it is important in goal setting to be clear about what your money goals are, it is also important to evaluate what you already have. In the Law of Attraction, it is stated that positive thoughts bring positive experiences, and in the converse, negative thoughts bring negative experiences. In Psychology, cognitive science confirms ones thoughts make up a reality. Often, in the desire to generate more money in your life, we may think about what is missing or what we don’t have. In the process of our beliefs and thoughts, if we focus on what we don’t have, we are leaving no room for more to come because the reality tells us, we don’t have enough.
Showing gratitude for what you already have shifts the perspective to allow your brain to think in abundance. Being grateful for what you have, big or small, forces your brain to start shifting your thoughts into the positive naturally. When you become grateful, your reality shifts as you are now creating room for more of what you are grateful for. Instant magnet! Thus, the Law of Attraction at work.
Try This:
Take a $1 bill and a post-it. On your post-it write a statement of gratitude for that $1 bill. Think about how you got that $1 bill. Think about the work that you put into obtaining that $1 bill. Think about all the money that has come your way and what has it provided you so far. Once you’ve come up with your gratitude statement, place the post-it on your $1 bill and read the statement to yourself aloud or in your mind. Put the bill somewhere you can see it for the day and read the statement 2 more times today.
Not too hard, but something to really get you to stop and think.
3 books that help you connect more deeply with money and thoughts:
The Magic - By Rhonda Byrne:
Get Rich Lucky Bitch - Denise Duffield-Thomas:
Do Less - Kate Northrup:
Day 9 - Goal Setting
Now that you’ve put in so much work already to get clear, build habits and even work on your confidence, it’s time to really start setting up your goals.
A great way to start building goals is to follow the SMART framework. Yes, it is more work to get granular with your goals, but it’s also the way to ensure you are achieving and holding yourself accountable. Remember, when setting career goals you want to make sure your goals are:
S: Specific
M: Measurable
A: Attainable
R: Realistic
T: Time bound
Maybe your goals are related to deeper work from what you’ve learned about yourself so far. Is there more work you need to do when it comes to building helpful habits, or perhaps building confidence. Remember, like Day 5 tells us, consistency is key and goal setting is similar, it’s about repetition and obtaining change over time! Don’t worry about starting small and building up from there. But spend time with your goal, think through why your goal is important and what might get in the way of achieving your goal. This will all help in success for achieving your goal!
Day 10 - Challenge Your Comfort Zone
Challenging your comfort zone can be a scary step toward your goals. In the career advancement journey, there is a lot that might challenge your comfort zone. Having fear shouldn’t stop you from taking steps toward your dreams. The best way to challenge your comfort zone is to not take things too serious and make it fun. What can you do to trick your brain today?
Try this:
Challenge your comfort zone by making it a game! Try this Bingo Game and make taking steps to achieving your career goals fun! Every challenge you take, mark that space as completed! See how many actions you can take to create a Bingo.
Day 11 - Build Your Resume
There can’t be a Careermas without investing in your resume! Building your resume is an essential step in taking control of your career. Already having a resume is a great start, but how else can you build it up?
If you’ve taken the small steps to get to Day 11, my guess is you’ve learned a thing or two about yourself. Now how can you take what you’ve learned, and apply it?
Try this:
Find someone you trust in your network. A recruiter or hiring manager friend is an ideal person here. Send them your resume and ask them to give you some feedback. See what they see, take the feedback that resonates with you and apply it, leave the rest.
Day 12 - Take Action
If you participated in this challenge, you may have a good sense of what is next for you. Now’s the time to speed ahead and enter your next chapter.
Still struggling? Need a helping hand? Don’t forget AdvanzHER is here to help. Book a FREE discovery call today, and we’ll be that guide on your path. We are ready and up for the challenge!
Take Action:
Take action to advance yourself today. Go ahead and plow forward. What is one small step you can take to getting closer to your dream career? Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Do a quick google search on what newly posted positions are in your area today
Update your LinkedIn profile
Practice answering interview questions in the mirror
Network with a recruiter and get feedback on your resume
Make a new year vision board to map out your career goals
References
Editors Note: This post was originally created with purpose of serving career coaching clients and prospects. Material provided has been generated as original works using learnings from the Jay Shetty Certification School.
DePaul, K. (2021, February 2. What Does It Really Take to Build A New Habit?. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2021/02/what-does-it-really-take-to-build-a-new-habit
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