Are you dreading going back to work after the festive break?
Did you fight the urge to hide in the loos at your work Xmas party?
Maybe a career change crossed your mind whilst tucking into a selection box.

A new year brings new possibilities, opportunities and relationships.

Your work should be satisfying, meaningful and enjoyable. If you’re not quite there you might like to try my 5 simple career steps below as we move into 2017.

1. Take time to reflect

Think about the work you did over the past year and answer these questions honestly.

• What went well for you?
• What didn’t?
• Are you satisfied with your job?
• If not, why not?
• What could have been improved?
• What would you like to remove from your day-to-day?
• What would you like to do more of?
• What was your best moment?
• Did you achieve what you wanted to at work in 2016, if not why not?

2. Dream big and define your future vision

If you can see it you can achieve it! Two great questions to think about are:

• If you could do anything, what would you do?
• At the end of next year, what will you have had to achieve to feel extremely satisfied with the outcome of your year?

Say your career dreams out loud. To yourself if you're feeling shy to start with, to friends at dinner, to an ex colleague who’s asking what you're doing now.

Saying dreams out loud creates a motivational psychological shift that can help you to start making them reality. Also, you might be surprised at how positively people respond on hearing your true career dreams.

3. Make and achieve goals

Goal setting is so important when it comes to your career but can feel scary. Without a goal, you will be unsure of what you are going after and find yourself wasting time, energy and losing motivation.

A clear goal is one that is tangible and achievable. It has a start, a finish and a time frame that allow you to make progress.

It shouldn’t be huge. Celebrate achieving even the smallest of goals.

4. Find a 2017 career pal

Goal achievement is not always something you have to do on your own. Are you doing what you said you would do? If you have a pal to accompany your career goal journey, you are more likely to complete your action items as promised. They must have your best interests at heart, be honest and most importantly want you to succeed.

Disclosure: For small goals my buddy is my Mum. It’s not for everyone…but it works for me!

5. For trickier career stages – find a professional

My mum’s great and all but the non-judgmental, positive support of my career coach is invaluable for helping me navigate more complex career issues.

If you want to read more about how career coaching can help you then take a peep here: http://kaleidoscopecareers.uk/services/

It's easy to drift year to year without giving proper thought to what you truly wish to achieve career wise. I'd love to have a conversation about how I can help you make 2017 a career smasher.

Happy New Year!

charlotte@kaleidoscopecareers.uk