So if you’re like so many of us, your starting off 2019 strong. 

Swearing off refined sugar, promising yourself to hit the gym 4 or 5 times per week, to get more rest, and to drink more water and less wine.

(Or, am I just projecting here??)

And as for work, you’ve promised yourself that you would hit all of the benchmarks that were set out in your 2018 year-end review…

… so that by the end of 2019 you’ll be rewarded with that leadership position or salary increase that you’ve been wanting for a while now.

Or so you’ll have accumulated the key skills you need to get your next dream job.

• You’ll go after that key assignment— get it and kill it!
• You’ll make sure your boss knows that it was YOU (and not Ben) who did that project that benefited the company bottom line.
• You’ll start subtly making your case for why you DESERVE more money.
• You’ll increase your visibility.
• You’ll figure out how to get more done during the workday (so you could have your nights and weekends to yourself and your family).

Whatever it is, you’re starting off strong…as we all do.

But then life – or that This is Us marathon – gets in the way.

And both the fitness and the work goals fall to the wayside.

And before you know it, you’ll be hurtling towards 2020, nowhere near where you thought or expected (or promised yourself) you’d be.

And then the dissembling starts.

I can stretch out my goal until next year; 2020 is a nice round number…

I can buy bigger suit jackets …

I’ll go after that promotion next year…

BUT, even as you start thinking that, you’re disappointed because you let yourself down. AGAIN.

Don’t let ANOTHER year slip through your fingers without achieving all that you want and deserve in your career.

Don’t just ‘resolve’ to do X, Y or Z. Write it down, and make it real.

Only about 3% of people actually write down their goals.

Studies have shown that doing this alone makes you up to 40% more likely to achieve them.

Then, once you have the goals written down, set up the actual action steps to make them happen.

And make them realistic.

If you spent all of 2018 on the couch, don’t try to convince yourself that you will spend 5 nights/week in the gym right off the bat.

Likewise, if you spent all of 2018 locked up in your office with your head down getting the work done, don’t set yourself up for failure (and giving up) by trying to convince yourself that this year you will attend 4 networking events a week.

How about you start with 2 nights/week at the gym and 2 networking events this month? 😊

Develop an action plan that allows you to ramp up over time if you need to, while keeping your deadlines in mind.

And finally, invest in some expert guidance and accountability for achieving all those goals.

Keeping up the theme here: a personal trainer and/or a nutritionist are key for helping you reach that fitness goal you set for yourself this year.

Similarly, if your goal is to finally get that salary increase, that promotion, that leadership position you’ve been coveting for a while now, then investing in an experienced career strategist is the fastest, most targeted way to help you achieve that goal as well.

If going it alone or with a buddy didn’t work for you in 2018 (or 2017 or 2016), then make 2019 the year you take your commitment, dedication, and drive to a higher level by adding focused, strategic advice and support.

With these simple – and powerful – actions, you can make 2019 THE year for achieving those successes you’ve been wanting for a while now.

Happy New Year!