The New Year means celebrating and looking back on all that happened over the last 365 days. However, for professionals, the coming year brings the first quarter (Q1).
While it’s okay to look back on the past, but not to dwell on it too much either. Now is the time to start looking towards the future.
The first quarter of the new year is an excellent time for reinventing you and taking your career to the next level.
Whether it’s retooling your skills, going after that promotion, or even changing jobs, there are many possibilities for the coming year.
Consider these ideas for how you can move forward and use Q1 for your betterment.
Take Stock of the Past Year
First, it does help to reflect on the past year. Be honest with yourself with your successes and struggles. How did things go with the rollout of that project? Are you struggling to stay ahead at work?
Take inventory of what happened, and yet, don’t dwell on the past too much. As mentioned above, it’s helpful not to be focused on the past entirely. Instead, use the lessons you’ve learned this year to inform how you are going to approach the coming Q1.
Are you barely going to slide by? Or, are you going to take control and actively work to move forward?
Continue Training
When it comes to reinventing you, furthering your training and education should be at the top of your list.
Identify key areas that you feel are essential for your growth. Also, consider two factors: technical skills and personal development.
For example, a technical skill could be learning a new coding program, understanding a software system, or improving your writing skills. Personal development involves how you communicate and interact with other people. Enhancing leadership skills and becoming a better team player could be a part of this endeavor, as well.
Project Yourself Forward
Another idea for propelling yourself into Q1 is identifying where you see yourself professionally in the next year or two.
Do you want to stay in your current position? Or, do you see yourself doing something different? Either way is excellent.
Whatever you decide to do, set goals for yourself that will challenge you and make you a better, more capable employee. Don’t settle for the “same old, same old” mindset that keeps you stuck.
Go for It
Sometimes an opportunity comes up that you can’t resist. Maybe there is a new position in your company that you know would be perfect or you. Or, perhaps there is the possibility of a promotion. So, why not go for it and throw your hat into the ring?
The best way for reinventing you is by putting yourself in new and challenging situations that require growth and change. Also, even if you don’t see such an opportunity currently, now is the time to start developing that “go for it” mindset. That way, when the opportunity does present itself, you will be better prepared to jump on it.
Find Support
Reinventing you is no easy feat. Many people struggle with change. Mostly because change requires taking a risk. Also, it’s not uncommon to get stuck in a rut. Getting stuck makes it harder to see the bigger picture and what opportunities are available.
It takes someone who is looking from the outside in to provide that unique perspective. For this reason, it can help to get professional counseling for job and work support. A counselor will be able to work with you as you try to start Q1 off on the right foot.
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The first few months of the year holds the potential for new beginnings and reinventing you in ways you may not have imagined. However, it can also be hard to get things rolling in the right direction.
It’s okay to ask for help from a counselor. Please reach out to me for help or visit my page on job and work support to learn more about my services.