The one question you should ask before doing anything

The one question you should ask before doing anythingThe one question you should ask before doing anythingI recently developed what I would consider a healthy obsession with the poetry ofNayyirah Waheed. Ive never been a poetry-reading person- making room only for the occasional Rumi- which is somewhat ironic since my first name (Ozan) is Turkish for poet. Yet, the simplicity of Waheeds poems- and her healthy disregard for poetrys traditional rules- struck a deep chord with me.Consider this onewouldyou still want to travel tothatcountryif you could not take a camera with you?Theres a broader way of posing the same question. Would you still do that thing youre thinking about doing if you couldnt post it on social media, if you couldnt showcase it for friends and family- if no one else would ever know about it?We often fall in love with a destination, but not the path.We dont want to climb a mountain. We want tohaveclimbed a mountain.We dont want to write a book. We want tohavewritten a book.We dont want to see India. We want other people to see us see India.In high school, I took two years of reluctant German. This past year, we spent nearly six months living in Nuremberg, and I thought Id pick German back up. I slogged through Duolingo lessons, trying to parse the intricacies of German grammar and memorize the articles that go with each word. But halfway through the summer, it hit me I had no interest in learning German. I wanted tohavelearned German. I was like a marathoner who hated running but craved the high of the schliff line. So, I saidAuf Wiedersehenand stopped.Theres a question that frequently shows up in self-help booksWhat would you do if you knew that you could not fail?This is the wrong question to ask. Instead, doas Elizabeth Gilbert does, and flip the question on its head What would you do even if you knew that you might very well fail? What do you love doing so much that the words failure and success essentially become irrelevant?This requires p ivoting our focus from the outcome to the process. If you want to climb a mountain, imagine training with your backpack on, hiking at high altitudes to get used to the low-oxygen environment, climbing stairs to build up muscle, and running to improve cardiovascular endurance. If you want to write a book, imagine sitting in front of your computer every single day for two years putting one awkward word after the next, writing one ghastly draft chapter after another, polishing, tweaking, and retweaking- even if you dont feel like it- with no recognition or accolades.If you go through this exercise, and the idea seems less like a picnic and more like a medieval torture technique, then stop. If any of this seems strangely fun to you- as writing does to me- then by all means, go for it. With this reorientation, you also condition yourself to derive intrinsic value from the process rather than chasing elusive outcomes.I love this quote from Andrea Dworkin Does the sun ask itself, Am I good ? Am I worthwhile? Is there enough of me? No, it burns and it shines. Does the sun ask itself, What does the moon think of me? How does Mars feel about me today? No it burns, it shines. Does the sun ask itself, Am I as big as other suns in other galaxies? No, it burns, it shines.Youll know youre on the right path when burning and shining is good enough for you- even if no one can see you in all your bright glory.Ozan Varol is a rocket scientist turned law professor and bestselling author.Click hereto download a free copy of his e-book, The Contrarian Handbook 8 Principles for Innovating Your Thinking. Along with your free e-book, youll get the Weekly Contrarian - a newsletter that challenges conventional wisdom and changes the way we look at the world (plus access to exclusive content for subscribers only).Thisarticlefirst appeared onOzanVarol.com.

4 Tips for Success at a Startup Company

4 Tips for Success at a Startup Company4 Tips for Success at a Startup CompanyGoing to work for a startup definitely requires certain personality traits, as does having success at a startup. While a person may be hired in for a particular job or project, the very nature of a startup company means that a lot of different things can happen at once and there may not be a person or department in place to handle every situation. The upside of this is that you can have an opportunity to shine and prove your value much more quickly than in bigger companies.Of course, in buchung to prove yourself as a rockstar, you have to get the job first. Networking is a great way to connect with entrepreneurial types who may have an opportunity for you. From there, the cover letter, a skills-based resume, and interview have to sell you as the perfect fit.Here are four qualities to highlight about yourself when you are trying to jump on board and have success at a startup1. FlexibilitySince most startups work with a smaller staff, chances are good that youll need to cover different areas. This might include marketing, account management, administrative duties, or research. The experience you will gain by seeing how the organization as a whole operates is invaluable and may lead you down a career path you hadnt previously considered. Wearing a number of different hats may help you down the road if you consider a career change.2. Quick on Your FeetThings can happen in a very spontaneous way at a startup company. While larger organizations may require approval from 5 different people to try a new blend of coffee in the breakroom, teams at startups are often moving in a very fast-paced environment to take advantage of opportunities before they slip away.3. ConfidenceAs a part of a startup, you have to be able to make sound decisions that can be trusted by the rest of the team. Using a combination of business smarts and a healthy dose of gut-feeling, as well as being able to explain your choices, will go a long way in cementing the faith that others have in you.4. manahmeThere is no such thing as not my job in these organizations. While its important to not step on someone elses toes, its just as important to show that you can step up and get the job done when the opportunity presents itself.While not every day can be perfect at any job you have, working at a startup company can be exciting, rewarding, and a great way to gain experience.Readers, have you ever worked at a startup company? What were your favorite parts and not-so-favorite parts about the experience? And how did you define success at a startup?

Different Animal Rescue Career Options

Different Animal Rescue Career OptionsDifferent Animal Rescue Career OptionsThere are many career paths available for those concerned with animal rescue and animal welfare. Here are a few of the most popular options Animal Welfare Veterinarian Animal welfare veterinarians are board-certified specialists who have advanced training in animal welfare and ethics. Animal welfare has only been a specialty in the United States since 2012, with the first diplomates recognized as charter members in 2012 and the first certification exam administered in 2013. The average salary for veterinarians is approximately $86,712 per year, though board-certified specialists can earn well over $120,000 per year due to their advanced training and professional qualifications. Animal Shelter Manager Animal shelter managers oversee the animals, staff, and maintenance at the facility that they supervise.Shelter managers seek funding, develop procedures, interact with the public, and represent the shelt er at community events. Shelters tend to prefer managers with a degree in business administration or an animal-related field. Compensation for animal shelter manager stelles ranges from $39,000 to $55,000 per year. Pet Adoption Counselor Pet adoption counselors screen adoption applicants, process applications, and supervise interactions between pets and the public. While a college degree is not required to secure a position in this field, most pet adoption counselors have extensive experience working with companion animal species. The average salary for pet adoption counselors is $23,630per year. Humane Educator Humane educators provide information about animal welfare and behavior. Educators present a variety of educational programs to school groups, businesses, and other area organizations. They may also be involved with educating pet adopters about how to care for their new animals. Humane educators usually have a degree in education or a related field, though this is not always required. Certification programs are also available through the Humane Society of the United States.The average salary for humane educators is$32,147 per year. Animal Control Officer Animal control officers capture stray animals, investigate cases of animal mistreatment, enforce licensing regulations, and provide care to animals in their custody. This position allows for a high level of direct contact with animals, so it is critical that officers take all proper safety precautions to minimize the chance of injury. A degree in an animal-related field or criminology is preferred for officers, though a high school diploma or GED may be sufficient. There are several certification program options. A strong knowledge of animal behavior and first aid is critical for those seeking a position in this field.The salary for animal control officers averages between $25,000 and $42,000 peryear. Wildlife Rehabilitator Wildlife rehabilitators provide care to injured native wildlife with the long-range goal of returning rehabilitated animals to the wild if at all possible. Rehabilitators must be licensed to work in their home state and obtain all necessary permits required by law. Professional certification is also available. The salary for wildlife rehabilitators is about $21,010. Animal Lawyer Animal lawyers may be involved with a variety of cases that may involve defining legal protections for animals and their welfare. Lawyers must complete graduate training to earn their Juris Doctor degree, plus they must successfully pass the bar exam to become licensed to practice in their home state. The average starting salary for a new animal lawyer isaround $50,000. Many lawyers practice in the private sector and incorporate animal law into their practice. In this case, the pay scale is based on salaries at the private firms - and vary depending on the size of the firm, and the location. Animal-Related Jobs Individuals who are interested in pursuing animal rescue and welfare career paths may benefit from volunteer work with shelters, humane societies, wildlife rehabilitation programs, breed rescues, and other similar organizations. Completion of formal internships may also be of particular value, especially wildlife rehabilitation and animal behavior internship program options.

Why thinking negatively about your career and life can pay off

Why thinking negatively about your career and life can pay offWhy thinking negatively about your career and life can pay offIt takes practice to come out of Schopenhauers famous mediation on pessimism with a sober mind, but real, practical-wisdom awaits those that keep at it. The German philosopher correctly identifies the fallacy of happiness a feeling that survives on human desire, which is impossible to satisfy. To recognize this is also to willingly allow the wind to leave our sails in favor of a blander, mora level headed existence.Despite living in a world that clearly has zero stakes in our well being, pessimism is somehow observed to be a pejorative. I for one think its more than reasonable for anyone born after 1914 to privilege a defeatist attitude over a cherubic one, saying nothing of the many horrors that endorse melancholy every single day all over the world.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfacti on, Neuroscience, and moreThe fruits of negativityLaura Xiao is the CEO and cofounder of Henn Organics. Erin Magner of Well Good recently detailed Xiaos downbeat prod to massive success, celebrating the cynicism that lit her way. A refreshingly welcomed take.When these kinds of ventures get written up, theyre always decorated with the same tired-cherry-verbiage. Xiao wasnt strident, nor was she quixotic, she was simply sharply aware of all the adversity that stood between her and her goals.Visualizing all the ways she could fail illuminated potential solutions that much more profoundly. mora glumly, the acceptance of inevitable catastrophe enabled her to maneuver better in its wake.Xiao doesnt focus on the negatives but she makes her self very familiar with them. This combination led to me taking more calculated risks and also helped me cope better when some of these issues arose, she says. Operating with defeat in mind forces us to be prudent and science agrees.Being negative sho uld apply to other areas of lifeThe Journal of Personality and Social Psychology published a study back in 2013 that found newlyweds that were optimistic about their courtship were more likely to split up than couples that embraced the contrary view.A study conducted back in 2016 motioned that young entrepreneurs with above average optimism were 30% less profitable than those with below average optimism. The National Cancer Institute found that individuals that underestimated their risks for heart disease were more likely to exhibit early signs of it.In almost every occasion, a glass half empty seems to lead to a fuller stomach, but of course, execution matters.A clear distinction should be made regarding the sub-sects of cynicism. No reasoned practitioner would recommend a fatalistic attitude full stop. The school of pessimism, as it relates to analytical and creative assignments, refers primarily to defensive pessimism.Defensive pessimism is a tactical method of reinterpreting inh erent anxieties as plans of attack. Votaries readjust their expectations to properly prepare for events of failure. Psychologists Julie Norm and Nancy Cantor explored the merits of this philosophy at length, more specifically with a juxtaposition of strategic optimism.Their findings suggest that the hesitation to take previous success as a final word for futures success inspires bulletproof blueprints. These individuals, weaponize anxiety, their worries nudge them into action. The researchers state, Subjects whose strategic construction of the situation was not interfered with do not show impaired performance. These data are interpreted as evidence that the effects of low expectations and high anxiety on performance may be mediated by the strategies individuals use when approaching risky situations.All of the research and anecdotes mentioned above should not be taken as critiques of optimism. Literature can match every benefit of dour-caution with data hailing intuition and unbridle d confidence. However, for those of us plagued by panic, its nice, to know there are methods of making it work for us.To expect a negative outcome is not synonymous with being resigned to one. Most people fail. Most endeavors fail give it your best shot, hope for the best and anticipate the worst. Awareness is the father of strategy.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Up in Arms About Cover Letters for Resume?

Up in Arms About Cover Letters for Resume? You will be more motivated if youre committed to making a move within the upcoming few months. Individuals are almost always enthusiastic to provide credit to things which look nice. It will be useful to leave anything out that wont help you have the job which you desire. Resume writing isnt a simple job and a great deal of factors have to be considered if you desire a resume that will be effective. How to Find Cover Letters for Resume Online Resumes arrive in various forms and formats. Templates will supply you the raw format of resume. They play an important role in your job search as it saves a lot of your time and provide you a better format for your CV. Template for resume is a typical layout which can be used for any work position. The Battle Over Cover Letters for Resume and How to Win It Make certain you apply before October 16th in order to dont lose out on the bonus sixth class where I am going to teach you the way to negotiate your entire compensation package and a sign-on bonus. The mail needs to be professional and ought to make an impression about the candidate on the employer. Understanding how to begin a cover letter is hard. You may also send your resume to the HR department of the company whod definitely get in contact with you once they have got an opening for you. Up in Arms About Cover Letters for Resume? Apart from your signature, also do not neglect to direct the employer to your resume, that need to be connected to the rear of the letter. Know the individual who will be interviewing you and compose the letter accordingly. A covering letter is the initial thing your prospective employer will see, even before the resume that youve sent. Everybody knows it is extremely essential that you compose an extremely very good employment cover letter, but thats not in any respect easy for lots of us because they cannot locate the appropriate words. Now you are aware of how to abflug a cover letter that links to the work description. Youre going to find an engaging cover letter opening you can shape to fulfill your requirements. A strong cover letter is able to make your application stick out from the crowd. You want to understand how to initiate a cover letter without lots of cred. The ideal cover letters have a lot of white space. In reality, 1 page is better. Since customer service is such a wide category, we provide a wide variety of letters from various regions of the field. If you dont know precisely what their company does or whether youre a fantastic fit for the company, its fine to say so. Its going to be impressive for them to know that you are conversant with the organization and did your homework. First off, you should start a cover letter with the suitable information of the man doing the hiring. In that scenario, its more important to stick to the instructions on the work listing. You may feel like the document is unnecessary since your e already providing a resume with a lot of information. Resumes are usually not read completely by the employers and they can often miss out the important info in your CV which can help you stand exotisch from the crowd. As stated above, your CV ought to start with your contact information and personal introduction. Conversely, theres only so much you are able to do with the conventional CV or resume. In spite of no work experience, you still must determine how to compose a resume that includes your educational qualifications, other handy skills you could have, student posts that you might have held, summer jobs that you might be been in etc.. Whatever you include in your resume must reinforce that youre an acceptable job candidate. Think first about what sort of jobs which is necessary and the resume ought to be made according to that. Your resume must prove clearly and concisely that youre the ideal candidate for the work prospect. Job seekers arent aware of the unpredicta ble changes in the work market. Actually, they are benefitted in multiple ways by a reliable job providing agency. You may also submit an application for a job without a resume. Careers you might not know you will be interested in or jobs which dont yet exist.

Train Your Employees on Your Businesss Social Media [INFOGRAPHIC] - Spark Hire

Train Your Employees on Your Businesss Social Media INFOGRAPHIC - Spark HireIf you want your business to participate in todays social media scene (and you should), you have two options for implementing a social media plan. You can hire new personnel or a consultant to design a strategy for you. Or, you can train your current employees to translate their business experience into social media content for you. The second option is cheaper, and many companies find that their own employees make mora natural company brand ambassadors. Check out this infographic (full size below) explaining ways that you can train your current employees to use your businesss social media tools.The infographic suggests beginning by dividing your workforce up into 5 groups. The groups are a great idea, because they are intuitive once you think about thembut Im not sure I would have thought of them The groups are The Digital Native, The Savvy Technologist, The Reluctant User, The Digital Contrarian, and The Di gital Newbie.The infographic gives a definition for each of these types of users, and then offers specific types of training that will be the most helpful to each kind of technology user. For example, the Digital Contrarian is someone who opposes the digital age and feels that social media is a waste of time. The infographic suggests training that explains how and why businesses benefit from social media campaigns, and show social media can affect a business and its company brand.What a great way to implement training for a diverse teamPersonal social media use is also addressed. A whopping 76% of companies do not have a clearly defined social media policy. If you want your employees to promote your company brand, youd better bet that you need one. Draft a social media policy with examples of what is acceptable and unacceptable conversation about the company. Provide examples of disclaimers that employees should use when expressing an opinion about the company, and be sure to make i t plain that harassment and lewd language will not be tolerated. For more information about how to draft a company policy on social media, check out this article.The final genau on the subject from MindFlash Keep Your Eyes Peeled. By allowing employees to represent your company brand, you have to understand that occasional misuse will occur. Watch your social media outlets closely for behavior that violates your social media policy. It will be important to address potential issues as soon as they occur.Do you let your employees use your company social media? How has this affected your company brand? Leave us a comment below, and share your experienceIMAGE Courtesy of Mindflash.com

Life Balance to Amplify Employee Success

Life Balance to Amplify Employee Success Finding the Perfect Work/Life Balance to Amplify Employee Success When it comes to enhancing employee success, supporting work/life balance is a great place to start. Although this delicate dance is important for all generations, millennials emphasize the need more than most,and todays workforce is filled with such Gen. Y-ers seeking better balance.Here, well dig into some key strategies to help you encourage the perfect work/life balance for your employees1. Support Self-CareWe all need to be reminded from time to time of how important it is to take care of ourselves physically and mentally. You can start promoting work/life balance by encouraging your employees to ask for help when they need it and seek resources that fit their needs.No matteran employeesrole, stress is a given at some point.Its important for employees to find ways to de-stress both at work and at home. Meditation can be one way to cope. The University of Southern Californ iasonline Master of Social Work programhas compiled a list of mindfulness resources that may be helpful here.2. Create a Guilt-Free EnvironmentIts important that you empower employees to be mindful of their limits, which means you need to show understanding and support when someone says enough is enough. As executive coach Rebecca Zucker notes in an article for Harvard geschftsleben Review, guilt-free self-care is more than a luxury its an essential tool to optimize creativity and productivity.According to Zucker, more than 40 percent of our creative ideas come when we are taking breaks or allowing our minds to wander. Tell your team to rest when they need to, and remind them that they cant be at their best if theyre not taking time to decompress.3. Promote OptimismResearch shows that optimisticpeople can actuallyhelp teams be more productive and support work/life balance. Business consultant Joe Robinsonclaims that, on high-performing teams, positive statements outnumber negative ones by six to one. On low-performing teams, the ratio of positive to negative statements is under one to one.Citing mindfulness as one key to recognizing the power of negative emotions, Robinson says its essential to focus on the positive instead. Or, as he quotes Mark Twain, Drag your thoughts away from your troubles by the ears, by the heels, or any way you can manage it.4. Lead by ExampleAnotherimportant thing Zucker emphasizes is the fact that, as a manager, you need to lead by example. When you stick to exiting the office at a reasonable hour and the world doesnt fall apart, your employees will see that they can do it, too. schauplatz your own solid boundaries for work/life balance benefits both those and all who are watching you.Get Started TodayEmpowering your employees to achieve great work/life balance is good for them and for your companys well-being. You can start today by askingemployees what they need, providing more education about work/life balance, and reminding th em that quality not quantity is the key to success.Colleen ODay is a digital PR manager and supports community outreach for 2U Inc.s social work, mental health, and speech pathology programs.

Seven skills that will help reach your full potential

Seven skills that will help reach your full potentialSeven skills that will help reach your full potentialDo you sometimes feel like youre wasting your potential? And do you also feel unsure about how you can even reach your full potential?If so, youre like any other ambitious person who wants to make the best of his/her life. Because to me, thats what reaching your potential means.We all have limited time on our hands. Some live longer than others. But you and I both know that its not about howlongyou live, its aboutwhat you dowith the time youre alive.Its about leaving everything on the table and making sure you live up to your inner drive. Look, when I talk about reaching your potential, Im not talking about what other people or society thinks we should do with our lives.When you chase empty goals and objects, you become restless. Instead, chase yourownpotential and forget about everything external. Become the best person you can be. Thats the only honorable aim there is.Ive studi ed people who committed their lives to chase their full potential. notlage only famous people like Muhammad Ali, Helen Keller, Thomas Edison, Malcolm X, or any other person who made an impact on the world.Ive also learned many lessons from normal people I know personally. People who learn every day, give it their all, keep growing and get closer to their full potential.What does it take to do that? How can we do it too? I identified 7 skills that almost all of these great people had in common. Here they are.1. Self-awarenessYou must be comfortable with who you are and what you are. Dont try to be something youre not. And dont try to change yourself just because others tell you to.Instead, know who you are. And if you dont know, find out. Read, write, think, talk. Thats self-awareness It only requires you to be aware of your thoughts.And when youre self-aware, you automatically learn mora about who you are - which is called self-knowledge. But it all departures with being aware. No awareness? No knowledge.Ive made a list of20 questionsyou can use to improve your self-awareness. Use it to improve this skill.2. LeadershipFirst, focus on yourself. Fix your own problems. Become a stable person who you can rely on.When you do that, focus on inspiring others to do the same. The best way to help others is to teach them to rely on themselves.Sick and narcissistic people want to make people dependent on them. Leaders teach others to be independent. How? By setting a good example. Theres no better way to lead.3. WritingBetter writing leads to better thinking. And better thinking leads to better communication. Better communication leads to better results in your career.What? I never thought writing was that important When you get good at one thing, it will help you to get better at other things. You landsee?It was only when I started writing that everything clicked.When you become a better writer, you can easily express yourself and start making connections.That will imp rove your career in ways you never imagine.4. MindfulnessMy definition of mindfulness might be different than yours. To be clear, Im not talking about meditation, yoga, or Zen Buddhism.Im talking about being a calm and mindful person. A person whos in control of their thoughts and emotions. A person whos solid as a rock. A person who others can rely on.But achieving that inner peace requires much training. I dont think we can ever fully master this skill. But by practicing control over our thoughts, we can get better.My favorite way to become more mindful is being present. The more Istayin the present moment, the more mindful I am. The aim is never to be lost in thoughts. Its to be here.5. ProductivityThe funny thing about mindfulness is that people assume living in the present removes your drive to achieve your goals.The reverse is true. The more present I am, the more desire I feel to improve my life. And how do you improve your life?You already know it. I dont have to tell you th at work is the only way to achieve things. Thinking about achieving your goals will not do anything real for you.Become a person whos productiveevery day. Make use of your time. Dont just waste it on watching tv, hanging out with your friends, gaming, or any other mindless routine activity.Know how to get the most results in the least amount of time.Thats the ultimate aim of productivity skills.6. PerseveranceSome days, I want to give up. You know why? Because some days you dont see any results in your life. You work, work, work, and you getnothingin return.For years, I studied and worked without seeing any results. No recognition, no money, and no rewards. Just me, plowing ahead.But one day, after years of work, I started seeing some results. I got better at what I did, felt more confident, and started earning more.But if I didnt persevere, I wouldnt get any of those things. Thats why I dont quit on striving for betterment. And neither should you. Ever.7. ExcellenceI half-assed man y things in my life. Lets just get it over with, was my motto. I was soimpatientthat I hardly did anything well. I just put in the minimum effort. Hence, I was never the best at anything.But then I realized that excellence is a skill. Look at Robert Greene who took 6 years to write another book. Or Lebron James who worked out during every off-season of his career. Or Helen Keller who published 5 books, despite being deaf and blind.But this is also true for successes that dont get attention in the media. Look at the top salesperson in any given organization who arrives early and leaves late every day. Or the mother who sacrifices nights out and dinner parties to raise her kid with all of her attention and love.Thats called excellence.No matter what you do. Do it the best way you can - or not at all. If you want to reach your full potential, thats the quickest route. Its also the hardest. But that shouldnt be a surprise to you.

How to Keep Your New Years Career Resolutions

How to Keep Yur New Years Career ResolutionsHow to Keep Your New Years Career ResolutionsHow to Keep New Years Resolutions for Your CareerMaking the new year your best year yet can have a lot to do with keeping your New Years resolutions.Career-related New Years resolutions are fairly common. According to a 2015 survey by Accountemps, 68 percent of professionals report that they have made resolutions that would further their career, like getting a new job, asking for a raise, or developing critical skills. Furthermora, a recent survey by TopResume found that 65 percent of professionals say that getting a new job is amongst their top New Years resolutions. However, less than half know how theyll accomplish that goal. As we approach the end of the year, I recommend looking back before you look ahead. Did you make any career resolutions last year? If so, did you follow through on them? Why or why elend?Many professionals begin the year with great aspirations that ultimately collapse und er the weight of work obligations, stress, and tiny choices that add up to stalled progress towards their goals. If you find yourself in that boat, make sure youre working towards the correct career goal in the first place. All too often, our goals are defined by other peoples expectations or a drive to prove someone wrong. If youre sure that the goal is a true reflection of your own desires, here are 10 tips on how to actually keep your New Years career resolutions1. Get clarity on your career goalsWhat will it be like to accomplish your goal, whether in terms of promotion, a new career opportunity, or an advanced degree? How will your daily life be different? What will you do, who will you interact with, and how will you grow?Getting very specific on why the goal is important and how it will affect your life is key for tapping into the drive that wills you past inevitable obstacles and failures. In my experience, the main reason why professionals dont achieve their career goals is because those goals are not all that clear or important in the first place. If you are to invest time, energy, and heart into an accomplishment, make it count.2. Set yourself up for successThis may sound like a simple way to keep your New Years resolution, but building a strong foundation for your career development matters a great deal. Be sure that you always have an up-to-date resume and keep your LinkedIn profile alive and active. Even if you are not in job-search mode, being present to your accomplishments, skills, and professional image will do wonders for your confidence.3. Commit to developing your networking connectionsYour career potential is determined in large part by your professional network. No matter what your career-related New Years resolutions are, commit to attending events and making time for people. You dont have to be at every mixer. Instead, choose just a few opportunities to reconnect with old colleagues or meet new people. draufgabe tip Get those events on your calendar for a greater chance of sticking with the planRelated5 Surefire Networking Tips to Rock Your Company Party4. Invest in yourselfWhether or not your job requires continued professional education, your ability to grow in your role is driven by exposure to new ideas. If you have to get CE credits to maintain a professional license, take charge of the educational opportunities and shape them to deliver the most value. Many employers will cover the cost of seminars and online learning events if you can demonstrate the value.5. Do deep workHas a professional goal been on your radar for a long time, and you just dont seem to be making any progress on it? It may be time for deep work. The concept, introduced in Cal Newports book, Deep Work Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, is to carve out a meaningful stretch of time to work on whats most important. Fifteen minutes here and there do not equal a dedicated hour (or three) in its ability to move you in the right di rection and inspire mora effort.If your mental dialogue pipes in to suggest that you dont have an hour to dedicate to your goal, I challenge you to think again. Everyone has the exact same 24 hours in a day. The opportunity hides in how you use those hours.Here is a quick test to tell whether or not you have time to spare If you watch any television shows or have one social media account, you have the time to make progress on your goal. You are just choosing to spend it on entertainment instead. Hold yourself to a higher standard when it comes to time because its the most limited commodity you have.You might try tracking everything you do over the course of a few days. I have found that a time-use diary over the course of two to three days is a great way to cut out time wasters and identify downtime that could be used more productively.6. Do small things because they are big thingsIn other words, make your bed and clean your desk. Accomplishment and structure in small tasks will ine vitably give you the dopamine boost to do the next thing. If my opinion does not convince you, listen to this commencement speech by the Navy SEAL commander Admiral William H. McRaven.7. Manage your mental gameMost career-related resolutions take a long time to accomplish. That means that you must treat yourself as a corporate athlete running a marathon. Pay attention to your stress levels (tools like Spire that track breathing patterns and offer real-time feedback might help). Dont overlook the importance of nutrition, exercise, and rest in how they shape your body and brain chemistry. You may try a practice like meditation or journaling, where you take just a few minutes to focus on what would make a day great.Related8 Steps to Achieving Work-Life Balance8. Get supportNobody achieves great accomplishments on his or her own. While individual effort and resilience are key, dont overlook the importance of your support network. From family members to friends, mentors, coaches, and eve n public figures that you dont personally know, look for your sources of inspiration and motivation.9. Create an accountability systemA professional commitment shared with a community can be a powerful engine for action. Choose a trusted person in your personal or professional network who will check in with you periodically to see how you are progressing, offer encouragement, and help you brainstorm ways around obstacles.10. Strive for progress, not perfectionSomething that I have learned from Tim Ferriss is the idea that striving for the perfect outcome can actually derail your efforts in the long run. Instead, you might try to frame your goal in terms of the knowledge you will acquire along the way, people you will meet, and experiences you will gather. In other words, set up your path to be successful, regardless of whether or not you reach your goal.For example, lets say you want to be promoted to manager this year. On your way to that goal, you may choose to volunteer for leadi ng projects, take charge of specific client relationships, or begin to play a more active role in coaching and mentoring the people around you. If you do those things consistently during the year, you will have learned new skills, met new people, and built deeper relationships any one of the three is a big win on its own merits. The promotion is just icing on the cake.No matter what your track record with New Years resolutions is, remember that you can create a different outcome by making a commitment to the goal that matters and using these ideas to create a framework for progress and success. With the right focus, tools, and support, you can keep your New Years resolutions and make this new year the best year yetClick on the following link for more advice on how to get ahead.Is revamping your resume one of your New Years Resolutions? Let us help youRecommended ReadingNew Years Resolution Ideas 17 Career Goals Youll Be Able to KeepCareer Quiz What Should Your New Years Resolution Be?How to Turn Holiday Parties into Networking Goldmines