Hello, 2020! As we head into a new year – and a whole new decade – I’m sure we’re all resolving to make some changes personally and professionally. What steps are you taking to actually achieve your career aspirations this year? As PR folks, you know we don’t do anything without a plan! So, as you prepare to tackle your career goals for 2020, here are a few questions I suggest you ask yourself. 

Is there a difference between a goal and a resolution?

In my eyes – there is! Did you know that only 8% of us successfully achieve our New Year’s resolutions? Beat the odds this year by reframing your resolution into a goal. The problem with a resolution is that it’s extremely vague. A resolution is simply a statement of what you want to change. On the other hand, a goal breaks down the who, what, when, where and how. Now, goals do take longer to establish because they involve a lot of planning. But, if you take the time to really think about the why behind your goal, I think you’ll find you’re entering the new year with a clear direction on how to reach your desired outcome.

How will I continue learning? 

No matter what phase of life you’re in – professionally and personally – you should never stop learning. And nowadays, there are so many unique and interesting ways to do so. Each week, challenge yourself to watch a TED Talk, listen to a podcast, read a blog post or look up an infographic on Pinterest that relates to the goal you’re hoping to achieve. In this digital era, there are a million resources out there – take advantage of them! 

Am I taking initiative? 

Are you actively trying to make some headway with your plan? How are you pushing yourself forward? Now, it doesn’t have to be all at once. To achieve your career goals, think big but act small. Tackle your big aspirations by breaking them down into bite-size actions. You’ll likely find that achieving little wins every day will motivate you to keep working toward your ultimate goal. 

2020, here we come!