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Want to ensure 2023 is your best year ever? You need to read this.
Catherine Kennedy, people2people’s NSW managing director, has shared insights for how employees can ensure this year is their best ever.
Ms Kennedy’s tips for the year ahead are:
- Forget quiet quitting
While playing it safe at work may appear the trendy and easy option, those aiming for professional growth must put their hand up and participate intensely at work to facilitate great accomplishments.
- Exit your comfort zone
Ms Kennedy recommends jotting down three things that make you uncomfortable in your current position and then planning how to act on them. It doesn’t have to be a major leap, according to the director.
Baby steps will lead to changing your mindset and achieving your goals.
- Introduce a ‘busy jar’ at your desk
A great way to increase awareness of your own stress. Place a gold coin in a jar every time you tell yourself you’re busy or stressed.
- Be proactive on feedback
Search for constructive feedback. Consistently searching for advice and improvements is a hallmark of top-performing individuals.
- Kindness is paramount
Kindness trumps poor behaviour, especially in the workplace. Achieving career development does not need to occur in the absence of kindness and empathy for others.
- Get to know your colleagues
As more businesses encourage returning to the office, 2023 presents an optimal opportunity to deepen your relationship with your co-workers. Additionally, a genuine interest in your colleagues assists in easing stress and boosts job satisfaction and career growth.
- Celebrate others’ success
Revelling in others’ success not only makes them feel good but you as well!
- Drop the perfectionism
Choose your battles. Cut yourself some slack and exit the perfection zone in 2023.
- Schedule and stick to breaks
Research suggests micro-breaks are good for productivity. Regular, small breaks increase concentration and reduce stress. Make that cup of tea or take that walk around the block! Breaks should not be taken at your desk.
- Disconnect from technology
Create a phone, email, and social media-free time zone in your home or office. This can increase efficiency and reduce stress.
- Prioritise sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep is paramount. Not only does it limit brain fog and irritability, but it can also prevent larger health rises such as diabetes. Implementing good sleep hygiene can go a long way to improving your overall wellbeing.
- Eat a frog each morning
There is an age-old adage: “Eat a live frog every morning and nothing worse will happen to you for the rest of the day.”
Begin each day with your most difficult task and the rest of the day will flow, Ms Kennedy imparts.
- Get in the zone
Avoid multitasking. Start the day with meditation and discover your flow throughout the day to boost productivity.
- Help others
Research shows providing help for others has knock-on effects. As the Dalai Lama says, “it is not enough to be compassionate — you must act.”
- The power of three
Instead of making bold declarations such as “I’m not drinking this year”, select three smaller healthy habits that aren’t impossible. If these can be conquered, more can always be added.
- Network, network, network
Build your tribe and connect with other industry professionals. Not only is it a great way to meet new people, but it is also an effective way to stay on top of your field.
- Add a meeting buffer
Stop back-to-back meetings. Add 30 minutes between meetings to allow you to reset and your brain to declutter.
- Check in on others
Don’t hold out for “R U OK Day” to ask someone else how they’re doing. Start a conversation any time of the year.
- Check in on yourself
Make sure you’re checking in on yourself. Be honest with yourself. It’s okay to not be OK occasionally.
- Don’t keep doing what you’ve always done
“If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’re going to get what you’ve always got.” Challenge yourself. Change is difficult, but ask yourself what stands in your way and put action in place to overcome them.
- Align your work with your values
If you feel like you’re not aligned with your business, search around for other companies or fields that interest you.
- Consider a short sabbatical
Some organisations are on sabbatical leave and know the benefits to employees, who will return fired up and energised.
- Take control
You are in control of yourself and your mindset. In 2023 make a conscious effort to make it a “growth mindset”.
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