While I’m not particularly hot on New Year’s resolutions (never mind that it’s already February), let alone the idea of trying to keep them as some kind of “challenge” that I must meet, it is still my job to tell you what’s required of you. You know, just in case you’re up for the task. After all, we publish these blog posts weekly to supplement your learning and provide you with many career-shifting insights.
That said, I do write them for me as well; the curating process is a learning process. I guess the point I’m trying to make is since I’m not a big fan of the topic: Today – it’s going to be all you. Enjoy!
The topmost effective way to keep ANY resolution
Ask yourself: What matters to you?
See, so often I see people setting only the resolutions that they “should” follow, or resolutions that “make sense” to where they are in their life (not the ones that they want, mind you). And while that’s good and all, it also leaves you wondering about one very important thing: Who are you doing these resolutions for?
Because if you’re not doing it for yourself, you absolutely won’t be able to keep your resolution for 2022. It’s unreasonable to ask of yourself. This means to stop setting resolutions that everyone else is setting, and instead start setting resolutions that matter to you.
Needless to say, no one other than you can tell you what matters to you. You’ll probably have to reread that line, but whatever. It’s so important I’m going to leave it as it is, convoluted and confusing as it may be.
That said, below are some examples for you to use as nothing more than inspiration. Feel free to go wild with ‘em.
Want to penetrate the upper echelons of wealth? Look no further than learning how to negotiate a salary raise. It’s your best (and most realistic bet) of not imagining what it would be like, fantasizing about it, or even thinking about it, but actually making 2022 your peak earning year. You can also look for a bigger role in a similar-sized, smaller, or even larger company. You can even look for a smaller role in a much larger company; do what makes sense for you (this time without the quotes).
First, check out this short and old-yet-very-relevant video on making a career shift published by yours truly (not me, me… Bayt.com. I think I was still learning how to walk when that video came out.)
You’ll pretty much find the same advice on the internet when it comes to choosing the right career. I could go ahead and give you that advice here, but I think you’d be better served if I gave you a not-so-little secret when it comes to identifying your deepest passions: your childhood.
That’s right. You can never go wrong with what really speaks to you on a deep level if you reviewed what you loved doing as a child and attempted to replicate that in your adult life. Note: it doesn’t have to be the exact same thing. See if you can find the common theme instead (e.g., I drew a lot as a child, so my theme is artistic self-expression. That theme is also present in writing. And whaddya know!)
Invest in books, online courses, and even mentors. But most important of all, don’t fall into the trap of consuming content and never applying it to your life (I know I did). And you can always resort to formal education and go back to university. As they say, it’s never too late to go back to school.
Also, you may be interested in starting your own side hustle and even enrolling in volunteer programs to hone and pick up new skills.
(Wondering how not to learn high-income skills? Head on over here!)
Whatever the list, as long as it’s career (and indeed, life) related, you’ll always find a mention or two of networking. And it makes complete sense: The basis for everything else – side hustles, new skills, asking for a salary raise, finding better opportunities, and what have you – is your network.
So don’t be a fly on the wall. Become the center of attention. Meet new people. Reach out to those with whom you share interests. Take inventory of your existing contacts and see if there’s any way you can improve your relationship. Share your goals. Ask for advice. Give advice in return. Travel. Engage. Live. Have fun. It’s a whole world out there, people!
(Just in case you already know what your goals are for 2022.)
I think the idea of boundaries is bizarre to the Arab and Middle Eastern world, but I’m going to propose that you at least consider it, anyway, even if you don’t see yourself as a “progressive” so to speak.
Having boundaries simply means getting crystal-clear on your priorities, and following up on them. That’s it. So, if your first priority of the day is to work on a project but your friends are ringing you up because they’re bored, you tell them “No thanks” and let go of any guilt that you may feel. (Note: I’m not saying to always disappoint your friends in favor of your own self-interest. If you do it all the time you probably won’t find any friends to begin with, but I hope you understood what I mean by following up on your priorities.)
So often what prevents people from keeping resolutions is not that they belong to someone else (in the sense that these resolutions are purely to gain someone else’s approval), but that they don’t prioritize them enough. If you simply decluttered your life (physically, mentally, and emotionally), you would find boatloads of time and energy to dedicate toward what matters to you.
And if finding a better job (or career) opportunity makes the list? You’ll want to check out our comprehensive job search platform. Now how’s that for executing on what you learn?
