By: Peer Career Coach Smriti Dhingra
New year, new goals and new ways to accomplish them. Creating goals is the easiest task on this planet but putting in the right amount of efforts continuously is something we forget to plan and perform. Achieving goals and thriving in our career is directly proportional to how we manage ourselves, our work and our time. This time with a fresh start lets dive deep into those small lifestyle changes that can help achieve long set goals with a little fun.
Have self-confidence:
Because one believes in oneself, one doesn’t try to convince others.
Self confidence is an essential aspect for a successful career and the ability to believe in yourself separates a good career from a mediocre one. When you are confident you can find creative and more effective solutions that have a positive impact on your career. Nobody is born with self-confidence, but steps can be taken to build it by challenging yourself with each opportunity offered. Constructing positive evaluations of what you represent as an individual provides you a way to track your progress in this journey.
Invest in yourself:
An investment in self-development pays the highest dividends.
A major step in developing confidence can be credited to investing time in yourself, both physically and mentally. When you invest in yourself, you develop skills and ideas which make you more valuable and giving you the capacity to achieve greater heights. Limit mindless distractions and replace them with informational stuff. For example, if you binge watch Netflix, instead watch videos on YouTube relating to your field of work. These would help you keep updated with what is happening in other places in terms of technologies and methodologies. Explore your creative side by learning a new skill and take time to disconnect from people and connect with yourself.
Set long term goals:
You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight.
It is easy to lose focus in any field of work when you fail to lay down the goals you wish to achieve in a period. However, setting long term goals provides a direction for the task ahead. While setting goals it is important to be specific about what you want as it enables you to track your progress. Also, long term goals are easily achievable when broken down into smaller goals, which allow you to tackle the tasks gradually.
Accept responsibility:
As for the journey of life; at some point you will realize that you are the driver and you will drive.
Accepting responsibility for whatever you do, say or think is a lifestyle change that can boost your chances of having a successful career. Remember that no individual is perfect and there are bound to be shortcomings. The ideal reaction is to recognize your part in the mistake and work actively on fixing it and learning to grow out of it with knowledge and experience. A person who holds liability to anything that may incur and strives to set an example by improving on it wins the race.
Manage time effectively:
The key is in not spending time but investing in it.
The first rule of time management is prioritizing your work according to their level of importance. Time is a limited resource, and the way you manage it impacts your career directly. Time management keeps stress at bay which means you become more productive and accomplish more things in less time. An advisable thing in time management is an early start as it helps you take advantage of the most productive time of the day.
Be consistent:
People like consistency. Whether it’s a store or a restaurant, they want to come in and see what you are famous for.
Consistency simply means to stay fully involved in your work without getting distracted. Being consistent in your daily routine helps you maintain the momentum needed to achieve your goals. You become more focused and value things that add to your growth. The difference in having a successful and failed career is to continually repeat the same steps and habits that make you thrive.
Exercise and rest well:
Calm mind brings in inner strength and self-confidence, so that’s very important for good health.
A good exercise regime is not only good for your physical but mental health as well. When you exercise your body releases endorphins which trigger a positive feeling in the body. And when your mind is happy and fresh, it is bound to increase your presence of mind which ultimately boosts productivity and performance at work. Also, your ability to think creatively is boosted by regular physical movement.
Whereas in this fast-paced world, one may not find time to hit the gym. Alternatively, sit down for however much time you have and try to meditate. Do some basic stretches to allow blood flow throughout your body. To have some fun working out, walk to your workplace if that’s achievable.
Let this year mark a change in you and your career!!