Sometimes, the press releases hitting my computer seem eerily similar, even when they’re touting entirely different topics. This month, I received no fewer than three different releases offering 100-lists, but for entirely different purposes. Since I was thinking about New Year’s resolutions at the time, I couldn’t resist jumping on the bandwagon.
Following are 33 resolutions in each of three categories. Not coincidentally, each item is something covered in an earlier column this year.
If you’re stuck when building your resolutions for 2013, just choose five from each list and jump into the new year. Cheers!
Job search resolutions: In the new year, I vow to …
1. Search every day.
2. Set weekly goals and hold myself accountable.
3. Leave the house every day.
4. Attend networking meetings.
5. Join a support group.
6. Find a coach or counselor to help me improve my process.
7. Rely less on online job leads.
8. Stop applying for “maybe” jobs.
9. Do more in-person search.
10. Build a target list of companies to contact directly.
11. Ask for meetings with managers.
12. Take part-time work in the interim.
13. Consider temporary and contract options.
14. Explore retraining.
15. Organize my process better.
16. Create a work space for the search.
17. Practice my interview answers.
18. Research more before each interview.
19. Make a website or portfolio.
20. Find someone to proofread my cover letters.
21. Revise my resume less often.
22. Consider using social media.
23. Set up a LinkedIn page.
24. Stay current with my LinkedIn contacts.
25. Stop venting to my networking contacts.
26. Turn off negative media.
27. Read something inspirational every day.
28. Make use of government workforce centers.
29. Learn to brag about strengths and downplay weaknesses.
30. Stop worrying about how the last job ended.
31. Push past my comfort zone.
32. Focus on building resiliency and a thick skin.
33. Move to Plan B if Plan A doesn’t work in a reasonable time frame.
Career development resolutions: In the new year, I vow to …
1. Make a plan for the next 12 months of my career.
2. Set quarterly goals.
3. Get a mentor.
4. Create an advisory team.
5. Ask for new work assignments.
6. Cross-train to build more skills.
7. Ask for a raise.
8. Explore training and tuition reimbursement.
9. Consider starting a business.
10. Learn a fallback skill.
11. Subscribe to an online newsletter for work.
12. Join a professional group.
13. Read five books in my profession.
14. Learn new software.
15. Join a committee.
16. Lead a committee.
17. Get out of nonproductive committees.
18. Strengthen my writing skills.
19. Learn to give presentations.
20. Streamline a process.
21. Invent something.
22. Network once a week.
23. Keep up with LinkedIn contacts.
24. Research my employer’s industry and competitors.
25. Build my expertise.
26. Speak up more at meetings.
27. Listen more at meetings.
28. Build bridges to difficult co-workers.
29. Ask for a promotion.
30. Find new work if it’s time.
31. Spend an afternoon planning for retirement.
32. Declutter my work space.
33. Update my resume.
Personal management resolutions: In the new year, I vow to …
1. Get up earlier or go to bed earlier.
2. Cut back on frustrating commutes and other time-wasters.
3. Watch less television.
4. Remove a stressor.
5. Do what scares me.
6. Stop procrastinating on seeking health care.
7. Have difficult conversations instead of avoiding them.
8. Keep saving money.
9. Set daily goals.
10. Set goals for the year.
11. Finish something I’ve started.
12. Abandon something I’m not going to finish.
13. Get a hobby.
14. Volunteer for something.
15. Get rid of my debt.
16. Organize my financial records.
17. Read a book every month.
18. Listen to music that inspires me.
19. See my inspiring friends more often.
20. Master my digital tools or swap them for something else.
21. Take a class for fun.
22. Train for something, such as a marathon or music recital.
23. Start a blog or keep a journal.
24. Revisit my faith.
25. Travel someplace I’ve been dreaming about.
26. Learn a language.
27. Stop doing something I dislike.
28. Get rid of clothes that don’t fit, especially for work.
29. Declutter something.
30. Strengthen my online image.
31. Ask for help more.
32. Walk more.
33. Celebrate each item I accomplish on my lists.
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