If you are new here ... I hope you enjoy sports references. If you've been here before ... you know I'm a boy mom + I talk in sports lingo. Often. Why am I telling you this ... well, it's necessary as we move into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter is when games often are won or lost. The need to finish strong is something every coach understands. The same can be said in business. The efforts made in the final quarter of a year can mean the difference between significant profits and bonuses or sluggish sales and discontent.
The arrival of the fourth quarter also brings the holiday season. Many professionals are anticipating holiday vacations, especially now ... we've all had enough of separation, quarantine, and lockdown. It's time to come back together. With these vacations on the horizon, itʼs understandable why thoughts of work performance tend to enter the Time-out Zone. Look, I'm on your side - who wants to spend time brainstorming ideas on year-end performances when good food, paid time off, and in-person festivities are on the way?! No one does!
I know it is easy to get stuck in a holiday slump, but let me tell you why finishing the work year strong is more important than you think. I've created an easy plan for you to follow that will provide you with satisfaction as you look back over the previous years accomplishments.
Here are a few ways you can end the year strong ... and why it will matter to your career;
Revise and Strengthen Your Resume Take some time to pause and reflect back over the past year. Think about the accomplishments you have made in your career and quantify them. Be specific - think quality over quantity! The reason this is so important is even if youʼre not actively searching for a new opportunity, keeping your resume up-to-date with your achievements as they occur will continue to boost your career success.
Expand Your Network The key to reaching our goals many times requires support, that goes for personal and professional goals. Your network provides 3 key ingredients; connection, visibility, and opportunity. Take time to evaluate your network, make sure you have a network structure that includes mentors, connectors, and influencers. Career success is about having strong people skills. No matter what field or industry you work in. Building a network structure of champions will increase your net worth (and I'm not simply talking money).
Review Your Digital Footprint Your digital presence, now more than ever, plays a significant role in your employability. Social media is the best way to optimize + increase your brand awareness. It enables you to highlight your accomplishments and value. Do yourself a favor and do not underestimate the power of social media. Employers use the these platforms to learn more about you - you as a person and you as a professional. They take their time to learn this all before they initiate contact for an interview. These companies are researching what your personal brand says about you.
Personal Inventory We're all tired of hearing, "we're in a different time," "things are different now," "everything has changed." I'm with you, I'm tired of hearing it too ... but it doesn't make it any less true. Things have changed. Things are different. That said, this is the time to get personal with yourself. What are your priorities? What are the things you need most from your career and your employer? After the last 18 months, we've seen how things can change overnight. During this time "away" from the workplace, we've all realized that there is more to life than work. As we move forward, we are seeking careers, companies, industries that provide us with MORE. More flexibility. More fulfillment. More money. I've said it before, but I'll say it again, gone are the days where people live to work - now, in our post-pandemic world, people are working so they can live!