Last year, I assigned my friends New Year’s resolutions (upon request, not just like a dictator). I assigned one friend to learn to bake her own bread, another to learn everything she could about plantains, and many others. Inexplicably, no one followed through on their resolutions.
So this year, I am assigning them to you instead. Over at U.S. News & World Report today, I’ve got your resolutions for your career for 2013 — including asking for time off and taking it without guilt, asking for a raise, resolving to stop complaining about your job, and more. You can read it here.
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I like these a lot. I’ve already got some big plans in the works related to #10. Excited for 2013!
Semi-related – anyone needing some motivation to work hard should watch Jiro Dreams of Sushi. I watched this the other night. Jiro Ono started apprenticing at a sushi shop at 9 and has been working the same job for 76 years. So many of us get bored after 76 days!
+1 on Jiro Dreams of Sushi. Wonderful glimpse of the epitome of dedication…
I need to tattoo number 2 on the back of my hand so that I see it over and over again throughout the day.
I like your idea of assigning resolutions. It made me think of today’s Non Sequitur – http://www.gocomics.com/nonsequitur/2012/12/31
Alison, that is a lot of work you’ve assigned. I am very tired – can’t I just learn about plantains and leave my career on auto-pilot for another year?
So speaking of #6, is the American Society for Quality (ASQ) any good? I haven’t done much with them so far, but they seem to send me a *ton* of email.
Any thoughts?
I personally wouldn’t feel terribly interested in an organization that spammed me with a ton of email.
Excellent suggestions! I had already started working on a few of these and it will be a challenge, but I will follow through.
Thanks for all you do, Alison. Happy New Year!
Going to really take the bull by the horns with #10, then work on #8. I’ve been saying it every year with only a little success, but this coming year, I’m DETERMINED to make it stick!!
#2 for me.
Professionally, I no longer care, and this is what I had to do to stop complaining at the last place. When I get a new job, I just won’t start.
I realize I can’t live her life for her, but I wish my coworker would do #5. She’s been at the company longer than I have (only by 4 months but still). I recently applied to another position and got it and for my loyalty got a (small) raise (raises aren’t very freely given–it’s definitely a place where you have to ask and be ready to be turned down immediately). But my coworker wants to stay in her position (and I think, even with my new position, she has a lot more responsibility than I do) but she won’t ask for one because she’s hoping that within the next year she’ll be pregnant and she wants to be able to telecommute a couple of days a week once the non-existent baby is born). I told her to ask for the raise now, it’s been 2 years, she’s due, and to worry about everything else WHEN it happens (she’s also my friend as well so we can talk about these things–I don’t just yell at my coworker about stuff that’s not my business–she brought it up to me!). We do have a very strict culture here that is micromanaged to death by the provost (she has to be involved in EVERY decision, and I mean EVERY decision). But I think the raise and telecommuting are two different issues and she isn’t even pregnant yet so it’s moot so far. Again, I realize I can’t make her do what she doesn’t want to do, but is she right to want to focus on only one request that isn’t even happening yet or should she go for a raise. She fears the provost will say “Why would I let you telecommute, you just asked for a raise 8 months ag0?!”
Love, love, love this post. I’m going to do #1, #2, #3, #5 (good to know that it’s reasonable to do this within 1.5 years).
I made a list of people to thank, and boy, it is long! Great suggestion.
Any tips on finding a good professional society? (#6) Any commenters have experiences to share?
I’d look for one with training benefits (materials/classes/etc) as week as local networking opportunities (if you’re interested in that.)
Every HR I know has been a member of SHRM and I like IIA for internal auditors (I’m a member of that one – so must be pretty prestigious! Ha.)
For me, #1 and #10, and maybe #8.
I just got a promotion at my job, and with it, I had to explain to my boss that some of the days I would have scheduling issues because of commitments I made several months ago. Because I am a contractor, my manager told me this wouldn’t be a problem as long as I followed protocol for calling off/switching shifts. However, I still feel bad that for the first few months of my job, I may have to leave a couple hours early here and there or need a day off altogether.
For #10, this is especially important for me because I am transitioning out of a career path that was not working for me and am building my portfolio towards something else. I have been interested in this path for a year or so, but getting the promotion was my wake-up call to see it’s never too early to plan your next step, and I plan on working hard in my new role while focusing on my portfolio outside of work.
#8 is a must for me too, although it’s challenging for me because I really haven’t had many accomplishment-based jobs. The most I’ve accomplished was being recognized for high performance, but even so, I was recognized with a few others, so I don’t really feel like it makes me stand out.
Seriously, handwritten thank you cards for everybody! It’s amazing how far 10 minutes and a $2 card can go when it comes to future good will.
These are great!
#2,6,7,8,9,10 definitely for me.
Stop complaining will be first on my list of bad habits that must go! I’ve slowly grown into a habitual complainer, which is so not me- but has so become me in the past year!
#2 (stop complaining) and #7 (break a bad habit) apply to me. Actually, my bad habit IS that I complain about work. Such a tough cycle to break. I am anxiously awaiting the next open thread so I can pour my guts out and ask for help, opinions, etc.
yes on taking vacation!
I earn it, I use it. It keeps me sane and happy. I don’t understand people who lose leave in “use or lose” situations. Enjoy it!