New Year, New You? Making Resolutions You Can Stick To

New Year, New You? Making Resolutions You Can Stick To 

With the start of a new year comes new goals, resolutions, and aspirations. What direction should I take my career? What relationships should I build? What is my purpose in life? All of these questions have crossed my mind at some point. At the end of the day, the central question is – what makes you feel fulfilled at the end of the day? And only you can answer that question.

People tell me that this question is misleading since many people work to pay bills, not to get a sense of fulfillment every day. While that may be true for some, it doesn’t have to be true for all. It takes effort and drive to do what you love. If you want to own a business, but work for someone else, it will take sacrifice and focus to reach your goal. On the other hand, what fulfills you may not pay your bills. In that case, what fulfills you might be part of your 5-9, not your 9-5.

In any case, your resolutions and goals should align with what fulfills you. It’s much easier to stay committed to something you actually want to do. Can you get paid for your passion? That’s a question worth exploring. So this year, make a resolution that you can stick to. What makes you feel fulfilled at the end of the day?

Company vs. Position. Which is more important?

I always thought that you should focus on landing the best possible position, regardless of the company. Not that I didn’t consider the company, I just didn’t consider the company most important. After seeing hundreds of people move in and out of jobs, I can say with confidence: the company you choose matters most. Is the company mission driven or profit driven? The answer to this simple question might give you a preview of how many hours per week you’ll be working.

The First 90 Days: What to Do When You’re New

The First 90 Days: What to Do When You’re New 

You got a new job! Congratulations! What should you be doing to prepare for the first day?

Well, first off be sure you know the details of the job. Do you need to bring anything for your first day? Who should you meet with first? What should you wear? All of these details (and more) are important to know on your first day. Even more than that, you should also consider your first full 90 days and make a plan to be successful.

Key Tip #1: Invest in the relationship with your boss

There’s a saying that people don’t quit jobs, they quit managers. I’m sure many of you have had a bad boss in the past, and if you haven’t, keep living. The most important relationship you will have at work is your relationship with your boss. This is the person with promotion and firing power, but even better this person can make your job really easy or really difficult. Get to know their communication style, expectations, and learn what you can do to stay in their good graces. A few months in, you’ll be glad you did.

Key Tip #2: Be a team player

No one likes a know it all joining their team so don’t be one right out of the gate. Before you showcase your expertise, just be a member of the team. Be more interested than interesting. You gain more respect that way. Always remember, you can learn something (good or bad) from everyone you meet.

Key Tip #3: Learn your job (and do it well)

You can do both tips above, but not be good at your job. Don’t be so invested in building relationships that you don’t learn the basics of your job. Ultimately, people will respect you for what you bring to the table.

Analysis Paralysis – When do I decide?

Analysis Paralysis – When do I decide? 

Life is full of decisions. I am not the best at making decisions, especially big ones. I am learning that part of maturity is finding out how to make decisions on my own and accepting the consequences. Whether good or bad, the outcome will serve as a great learning experience for future decisions. Here are a few things I do to make decision making less stressful.  

Listen to your inner self

One of the greatest lessons I have learned is to listen to my inner peace. Which direction feels least stressful? What is my gut telling me to do? Before you talk to anyone, listen to yourself. Pray. Meditate. Take a walk. Make sure you have listened to your inner self before you talk to anyone else.

Ask for advice

It is always a good idea to run decisions by someone who you trust. This could be a parent, friend or mentor. Two evaluative minds are better than one. However, remember that involving too many advisors into your decision making process may slow you down and sink you into the analysis paralysis trap. At the end of the day, the only person who can make the decision is you. If you receive advice that you think won't be beneficial, don't take it.

Sleep on it

Don’t get in the habit of making rushed decisions. Rushed decisions usually become regretted decisions, and one more day of contemplation rarely hurts your situation (unless there’s a definitive deadline). Give yourself time to process what is at stake. Time can reveal a lot of details that you may not have considered in the beginning, and you may prevent yourself from a mistake you might regret.

Weigh pros vs. cons

Be realistic with yourself about the different elements of the decision. Oftentimes writing things down helps you visualize the decision more clearly, and sometimes items can come out on paper that you weren't considering before.

Don’t fear being wrong

This is my biggest weakness. My thought process 90% of the time is: “I’m a responsible adult…I can’t make a wrong decision!” Truth is - everyone makes wrong decisions at some point. The key is to do everything in your power to make the most well informed decision you can (and try not to screw up the big decisions). If you still make the wrong one, at least you tried your best.