There are approximately six weeks left until the end of 2022. This year has been, well, interesting, to say the least; many of the conversations I have with friends, family and clients have the same theme. We are tired. We are, a little discombobulated. However, we are also hopeful of what a new year could bring. For many, the next few weeks (and upcoming months) is a time for stability and simplification. From personal to professional, it’s a time to step back and focus on the small stuff. It’s also an opportunity to set yourself up for a 2023 where you can create a career to enjoy. With this in mind, I wanted to share six things you can do in 2022 to help your career in 2023.
What a career to enjoy looks like varies from person to person, situation to situation. For some, it means a move, either internally or externally. It could even be a step into self-employment. For others, a career to enjoy means some subtle but achievable changes across your life, taking proactive action to have the balance you deserve. Whichever of these examples resonate with you, the following six things can help you have the career you want in 2023.
So, are you ready? You don’t need to do these in any particular order, just go to what feels right for you. You could, if you wish, do one a week, or one a day; however, I would recommend you give them a go. These six things, I promise, will set you in good stead, ready for 2023!
Six things to do in 2022 to get you ready for 2023!
- Get clear on your values
I will not stop reminding people of the power of knowing your values. They are the backbone of understanding the decisions you make, and you can use them to help you craft the life you want. Uncovering these, and developing a definition for what these mean within your life right now, can help you when you are at crossroads, underpin your boundaries and make difficult conversations a little easier. If you haven’t already done a values exercise, you can find one here on my blog.
- Reflect on 2022
Life can pass us by pretty quickly, especially when we have had to be in reactive or firefighting mode. But taking some time to look back on the past year can help you notice the highs and reflect on the challenges. If you keep a diary or journal, you may already have the information available to do this; if not think about how you have documented the year; I find having a look at the photos on my phone is a good way of jogging the memory.
I would look at both your personal and professional life when you consider this year; the best way to understand what matters to you is by appreciating that your career is part of your life, not a separate entity. You can go quite deep on a reflection, but a simple way is:
What did you enjoy and why?
Where did you struggle and why?
What would you change if you could?
What would you keep the same?
Understanding these things allows you to consciously make changes in 2023, where you can control, of course!
- Refresh your LinkedIn
Please don’t groan, it’s not that bad, I promise! There really is a place on LinkedIn for most people; start by typing in your industry and/or job title to see who else in your sector hangs out there. Even if you don’t want to move jobs, it’s a great way to understand what is happening in your sector, and to connect with colleagues. If you are looking to move role or even industry as a whole, then LinkedIn is a great place to gather information to help your CV shine. So, make sure the basics are there: your title, your company and your contact details at the very least!
Spend some time getting to know YOUR version of LinkedIn. If you want to develop it further, then these articles can help that cover profile and job hunting tips. You can also grow your network by connecting with me!
- Block out some self-care time in 2022…
And plan to keep it up in 2023! Especially this time of year, it’s easy for life to run away. Diaries get full of festive events, present buying, food shopping and the inevitable desire to “get ahead” for any time off that you have. However, the last thing anyone needs is to end the year even more exhausted than you already are. So, look at your diary and block out some time for yourself. Think about what you do that helps you re-energise. And be realistic about giving yourself some time. Maybe it’s a 15-minute walk over lunch or the 30-minutes of digging into your favourite book in the evening. Make an appointment with yourself and commit. If you don’t already know, there are seven types of rest, so if you are stuck for ideas, check out this blog to help reframe what self-care looks like.
- Read a personal development book
You may find that the title of your personal development book is influenced by something you have uncovered in your values or your reflection. It may be the one that has been sitting on top of your to-read pile for a while. Of it could be gifted by a well-read friend. Either way, add a personal development book to your to-do list. Now, how you consume this information can be to suit you. It could be broken up via a podcast, or an audiobook; I don’t care HOW you do it, just that you do. Taking action on what is important to you, feeling inspired, and gathering a new perspective will be a great way to set your intention for 2023! If you are stuck for ideas (you know what’s coming) check out some of my book reviews here.
- Start (or re-start) your ta-da list
The brain will always notice the negative. It’s primed that way – however, most of us have days that are full of mini-achievements that go by unnoticed. How frequently do you get to the end of your day, hyper-focused on everything you feel you haven’t done? Let’s end 2022 by flipping the switch and collecting evidence of your achievements, however small you think they are! A combination of a gratitude list and a reverse to-do list, the Ta-Da list is the celebration of everything you have done. It helps you close off your day with a more positive frame of mind, and acknowledges all the things we do, that are so routine we take them for granted or are unexpected! If you want to learn more about this, check out how to curate your Ta-Da list here.
If you take the time to work through these six things, I can guarantee you will close off 2022 feeling different about yourself and your impact on the world. You will also set yourself up for 2023, where you can be proactive about what you want to keep, and what you want to change. This is not about New Year Resolutions, if you have been following me for a while, you know I don’t set them, but a chance to regain control when you feel like “life” is running away from you.
Why not come over to Creating Careers to Enjoy and let me know how it has gone for you?
Clara Wilcox is a straight talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance.
