There is a lot of hope and desire for 2021 to be better than in 2020. No one could have predicted the dramatic changes to the labor market and how we work that evolved throughout 2020. For most, the best they were able to do was barely keep their head above water. Many careers stalled or ended. As we begin our transition into 2021, what should you focus on in the first quarter to help meet your career goals? Forget the New Year’s career resolutions. Instead, focus on these six career moves in the first quarter.
If you weren’t furloughed, you were taking on additional work left by those that were. We all had to get comfortable being on video for hours and days on end. While balancing multiple competing work priorities, we also had to blend home caregiving and acting as teachers’ aids. Our happiness and career growth fell to the wayside just to survive. The first quarter is an opportunity to prioritize your career path. Go ahead and give yourself permission to prioritize a few small gestures that will put your career back on track.
Design the roadmap
To start designing your career roadmap, you have to know the destination. Create a detailed vision statement of where you want to be at various points of the year. Before you can achieve success, you need to articulate what success means to you. It is not something your boss, coach, or career counselor can do for you. Your career roadmap should also include aspects of your life outside of work. Once you have a clear vision of where you want to be, you can construct a roadmap to get you there.
Renew your network
With so many people juggling multiple workloads, in addition to new strains that came at home, staying active on social media didn’t rank high on the priority list. Additionally, many events and conferences were canceled or haphazardly moved online. Plan time daily to prioritize social media networking. Scour professional organizations and networking websites for virtual gatherings and plan to join them regularly. Spend time rekindling relationships with peers and colleagues with quick non-work-related interactions.
Enlist a coach or mentor
We can only do so much on our own. Enlisting a coach or mentor can help in your quest to meet your career objectives. Actively seek exposure to people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Having access to a diverse array of viewpoints helps you build the behaviors necessary for an inclusive leadership style.
Redefine the boundaries
2020 has effectively ended the concept of work-life balance. Work and life are happening under the same roof at the same time. Returning to the office continues to get delayed. Success depends on establishing effective boundaries with your boss, your family, and, more importantly, yourself. Get clear on when you are at work and off work.
Learn something new or refresh the old
Nothing is more energizing than learning a new skill or learning to improve a current one. The most successful people are insatiably curious. How long has it been since you took a class? Online learning is far too accessible, so there are no excuses not to learn. Instead of taking an online course, commit to reading a book a month that aligns with your career roadmap. Additionally, you can subscribe to podcasts that focus on the skills you want to improve or expand.
Lead from your seat
Some people sit back and wait for a promotion before they start leading. However, leading from where you are will elevate your leadership capabilities and help them get seen. You don’t need a title to lead. Raise your hand when opportunities to take charge present themselves. It could be as small as running a departmental meeting or as big as leading a vital initiative. Proactively reach out to teammates to check in and see what support they need. There are a lot of opportunities to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and leadership capabilities.
Last updated on April 15th, 2021 at 07:46 am
