FYI Candidates January 2008
New Year’s Resolutions:
8 Things You Can Do Today To Energize Your Career And Your Life
by Orrick Nepomuceno, CPC
Vice President of Development, Dick Wray Executive Search
My father taught me at a very young age that life is all about setting goals and attaining them. One must be resolute and clear with what their goals are and how they want to achieve them. Ultimately, you are in charge and it is only you that can take the first step.
Stephen Covey goes deeper in his Work-Life Balance article on Forbes by saying, “when people are crystal clear about the most important priorities of the organization and team they work with and prioritized their work around those top priorities, not only are they many times more productive, they discover they have the time they need to have a whole life.”
Put yourself first this year. Make a point to:
Set goals for yourself today
Most people, professionally and personally, are what I refer to as “Christopher Columbus” souls. Like the explorer, many go through life not sure where they want to go, don’t know how to get there and once they get somewhere are not sure where they are. Just like in life, you need to have a roadmap to get from point A to point B. More importantly, you need to know where you want to go first and foremost.
Setting clearly defined goal that are achievable and have a time frame are critical to knowing where you are today and where you want to be in the future. Think about where you want to be on January 1, 2009. Do you want to make more money? Have a new job? Find a partner? Lose 10 pounds? Run a marathon? Whatever those goals are you have to see yourself first accomplishing them and then work backwards in logical steps. Start with attainable goals and build to yourself to your destination.
Do what you love to do and do it the very best you can
Life is too short to be doing something that you absolutely not passionate about. When you get up every day, do you feel like you are doing what was ultimately meant for you? If not, find what excites you. Believe me, you will be happier and find it more rewarding then doing a job that bores you.
Learn something new every day
Who says an old dog can’t learn new tricks? In today’s information age, there are a number of things you can wrap yourself around. Read a blog; discuss different approaches or strategies with your teammates. You not only become more valuable to others but adding a new skill can be fun.
Network and make new connections
Today’s online social networks are great ways to connect or reconnect with others professionally or socially. Facebook and MySpace are not for the teenyboppers only. In fact, several other professionals have found my profiles on Facebook and Myspace and have requested to connect with me!
Another online networking site is Linked In. If you are not familiar with Linked In, you need to start and get connected. It is great tool to meet other professionals over the web. (For more information about Linked In, please see my blog entry, Linked In: Network On The Internet.)
But don’t let all of this online networking replace good old-fashioned face-to-face encounters. As great as the Internet has been for many of us, it still cannot replace the handshake. Get out to local networking functions and meet at least 3 people that you have never met before. Don’t rely to hang out with the same old group that you are comfortable with.
Do something for yourself every day
Last year I joined a triathlon group at my local YMCA, mostly, so I could lose that couple of extra pounds I have gained but to also meet some other new people. It was one of the best things I did last year. Not only did I complete 5 triathlons; lose 10 pounds; but I started a great early morning routine that I cannot live with out. Now I look forward to my 5:30 AM workouts with my new workout buddies. It helps keep me more focused and makes me feel like I have a life.
Ask a client for a referral
I am amazed at how many professionals do not ask existing clients for contacts who may need your services. It may seem cumbersome at first, but a simple statement in the signature of your email saying, “If you know of someone that may be need of our services, please recommend us.” New clients are more likely to decide on a company based on a referral of a friend or colleague.
Read more books
I strive to read at least 2 business books a month, plus blogs, online articles and the Wall Street Journal. I don’t always do that. But even if I do half of my goal, I am much better off than most who never read. Read a wide range or topics. It will make for great discussions with other colleagues.
Use a planner and track your goals, daily engagements and to do lists
Whether you use an electronic planner such as a PDA or the old fashioned paper organizers to keep all your important to do’s, it is important to stay on top of all your goals by making sure that you are staying on track. I have always found that if I write something down, I am more likely to accomplish that task then if I didn’t. Whatever way works best for you, tracking your daily activities against you goals is critical to success.
Make 2008 a great year by implementing these goals into your daily routine. I am interested to know what your goals and resolutions are for the new year. Feel free to email them to me.
Orrick Nepomuceno, CPC is Vice President of Development at Dick Wray Executive Search. He is also author of Hitchhiker In The Corner Office: Avoid The Hiring Potholes So Your Employees Don’t Hit The Road! He can be reached at orrick@dickwray.com. You can view more of Orrick’s articles at his blog - blog.hitchhikerinthecorneroffice.com.