Haley Twist
One of the best parts about beginning a new year is feeling like you’ve been given a clean slate–a fresh start to make healthy goals for yourself and truly go after the things you want. It’s also a particularly good time to assess your career and think about how you want to grow!
Is this the year you want to shine your brightest at work? Are you aiming to go after that next big promotion? Is there a field you’ve wanted to explore for a long time, and resolve to finally go after it this year? At Burn Boot Camp we’re all about personal and professional growth, so we’ve listed five ways that you can ‘Raise The Bar‘ at work (and for yourself) over the next year!
1. Don’t be afraid to speak up
On average, women talk less than men around the office, in meetings, and in various other settings. Though it can often feel intimidating to speak up at work, it’s more important than ever to do so if you want to maintain and boost your performance.
If you have an idea, don’t be afraid to share it. If your boss asks a question at a staff meeting and you feel compelled to speak up, don’t wait for someone else to speak up first. Remember that your thoughts, ideas, concerns, and criticisms are just as worth sharing as your coworkers’, so feel confident in that!
2. Share your expertise
Have you been in your field for a long time? Do you know the ins and outs of your industry? Have you spearheaded or implemented a revolutionary idea at your place of work? Share it!
Take advantage of LinkedIn, your personal website, or other blogging platforms to share your expertise with the world. Write short blog posts that position you as an expert in your field. This not only helps you to network, but also shows your current (and potentially future) employers that you’re serious about the work you’re doing.
3. Refresh your resume
Whether you’re looking for a new gig in 2018, striving for a promotion, or simply documenting what you’ve learned in 2017, it doesn’t hurt to give your resume a little makeover! Take inventory of any new skills you’ve mastered and projects you’ve completed over the last year and add them to your resume.
Additionally, remember that it’s a numbers game. Did you design a marketing strategy that garnered high website traffic? Write that down. Did you play a part in doubling or tripling product sales at your company? Take note of that. Quantifying the value you bring to your current place of employment will help you to make a career change in the future.
4. Celebrate what you like about your job
Even if you’re less than thrilled about your current position or company, make sure to take note of what you do like. Does your job allow you to consistently grow and learn new things? Do you make an impact on your clients, customers, or consumers? Do you enjoy collaboration with your coworkers? These are all things worth appreciating.
Taking the time to celebrate these small wins can help you feel better about your current career, and will also help you know what to look for if you decide to go after a new position.
5. Make time for self-care
You know what they say about all work and no play, right? Well, at Burn Boot Camp we remind all our clients to make sure you’re making time for YOU. Your life is busy, and the demands of your family and career can be overwhelming, exhausting, and downright chaotic. So it’s important to make time for your own health and wellness.
Scheduling time every day to exercise can do wonders for your stress and energy levels at work. Do your best to meal prep on the weekends so that you don’t have to worry about what to eat for lunch at work (which also eliminates the urge to buy unhealthy food at the office). Lastly, try to spend at least 20 minutes a day doing something that relaxes you, whether it’s yoga, meditating, going for a walk, or reading a book. Prioritizing yourself can help you be a better parent, spouse, and employee!
We hope these tips help you get excited about raising your bar at work over the next year!