Work at Home

Whew!  It looks like we may actually survive to the end of 2011 – and its been a brutal year.  If youre lucky enough to have a job, youve probably worried about whether youd keep it.

Time to have some great quality time with the family, and refresh for a new year.

Its also a good time to look at the state of your career, and use a little time off to take some action to make 2012 a great year.  Heres some ideas:

1. Refresh your résumé or CV.  At the very least, capture examples of your contribution, educational experiences you had this year, and skill improvements.  Employers will focus on the most recent and up-to-date information, so make sure you capture it before you forget.
2. Think through the next stage of your career.  Look at what opportunities your employer might give you, but also what direction youd take if you had some freedom.  You might just find that 2012 is the year to take the big leap toward that dream youve never had the guts to write down.
3. Identify five key relationships to develop.  We all struggle with relationships that arent working very well – with the boss, with other key influencers, with people who will help our advancement.  Write down some actual names, and think through how to approach each person and create the kind of support and cooperation that youd like to have.
4. Pick two skills you want to improve next year.  What are your areas of knowledge that are getting a bit out of date?  What would improve your chances for the next job youd like to have?
5. Examine your financial safety net.  Yeah, this is a pain.  I understand that youre afraid to find out how badly your savings have been damaged over the last few years.  But without knowing, you might be making poor decisions – either too conservative or too risky.  Go talk to a financial advisor and get a sense of your true situation.
6. Research other fields.  Im often shocked at how insulated people become:  They focus on their own industry, their own job field.  Guess what?  Creative stuff is happening all over, and theres great things to learn from people youve never heard of.  Spend a little time snooping around the great videos on .
7. Look for people you can help.  When you help others, they help you, and the relationship grows.  Find others in your company who could benefit from the knowledge you have, and help them out.
8. Take a fresh look at the larger strategy.  Youre employed for a reason:  Your job plays an important role in some larger picture.  Do you know what that is?  Are you able to find opportunities to make a deeper contribution by expanding what you do?  If so, youll be more valuable to your boss and the company.
9. Talk to people you dont normally hang out with.  The holidays are a great time to mix in different circles, to find out whats going on in the bigger world.  Set up some one-on-one conversations with people who have a little time to spare, and find out what theyre up to.  You may just open up some new possibilities youd never thought of.
10. Relax.  Its important to not overwork yourself – humans werent designed to work 247.  Maybe youve lost touch a little with your family and friends too.  So take a little time to kick back and relate with others and friends and loved ones.  Your jobs important, but its not the only thing.

This is your chance to take a fresh look, to rest and rejuvenate, and set some powerful goals for 2012.  Where do you want to be a year from now?  What one thing would help make a big difference?

Take advantage of the opportunity.