THINK ABOUT POSITIVE CAREER GOALS FOR 2010

As the year comes to a close, it is a good time to start thinking about goals for the New Year. Goals target areas you want to improve and are especially helpful for career success and career advancement.

What do you hope for next year?

• Do you need to find a job following a layoff or downsizing?
• Do you want to find a new, more rewarding career?
• Do you need to improve your skills to keep your current job or advance in it?
• Do you have your sights set on a higher-level position than you currently hold?
• Are you looking for more satisfaction in your current position and your career?

These are all considerations you will want to keep in mind as you begin to formulate goals for 2010. In addition, you will want to review your 2009 goals and see where you need to adjust them.

Positive Attittude - Positive Career

Keeping a positive attitude in today’s economic climate takes some effort but is rewarding. When employees have positive attitudes, productivity seems to improve, as does general office morale. Working in a pleasant environment with agreeable people is preferable to being faced with daily negativity.

Do your part to maintain a positive attitude and pleasant work environment.

• Eliminate negative words from your vocabulary.
• When problems occur, look for solutions rather than complain.
• Think pleasant thoughts if you feel your mood slipping.
• Be grateful—after all, you still have a job.
• Be flexible.

Follow the Rules to Career Success

Company rules are put into place to maintain discipline and order. Employers lament the lax attitudes of many employees when it comes to following rules. When employees routinely break the rules, a chaotic environment will likely result. Follow the rules to increase your value to the company.

• Start work on time and get back from breaks on time.
• Do your work during the required hours.
• Avoid doing personal work on company time.
• Follow the dress code.
• Do not socialize during business hours.

Breaking rules sends the wrong message to management, coworkers, and customers.

Hold Yourself Accountable for Your Career Success

Your boss and your company will hold you accountable for your workplace behavior and accomplishments. Go one better and hold yourself accountable.

• Perform your tasks to the best of your ability, completing them in a timely manner.
• Maintain a positive attitude daily.
• Adhere to a strict code of personal behavior.
• Keep skills up to date and learn new ones as required.
• Become an expert in your field.
• Use good judgment.
• Speak kindly and tactfully.

Taking responsibility for your actions and words will preserve your value to the boss and company.

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Stand Out for Career Success

In today economy it is not enough to be as good as your coworkers. Strive to be better. Show the company your value through high personal standards and your ability to do the job well—consistently.

Meet commitments in a timely manner and then find ways to go above and beyond your current job requirements. Demonstrate your willingness to get the job done. Do you need to brush-up on your skills? Is there a new skill you can learn?

There are lots of ways you can show you are willing to take on extra responsibility.

• Is there a special project for which you can volunteer?
• Can you pick up a few duties from someone who was let go?
• Can you start a company newsletter or other relevant undertaking?

Figure out what needs to be done and, if it is within your scope of responsibility, do it.

This Is No Time to Waste Time

Employers are cutting employees in record numbers and making do with less people on their payrolls. To that end, this is no time to waste time at work. Each person must do his or her share to keep productivity and profits up. When you are at work—work. Avoid the following timewasters.

• Using office phones and copiers for personal business.
• Wasting time on personal business.
• Misusing the Internet.
• Chatting idly with coworkers.
• Showing up for work late.
• Leaving work early before quitting time.
• Coming back from breaks and lunches late.