The 5 Best Career Anti-Resolutions You Need To Make

Right now, many people have likely wavered from their New Year’s resolutions, specific things they resolved to do in 2023 to improve their careers.

But the savviest professionals created something else: career?anti-resolutions.

An anti-resolution is a steadfast commitment to stop doing something. And in terms of your career, plenty of unconscious behaviors and attitudes unknowingly hinder your progress and prevent your growth.

To combat those, here are the five best career anti-resolutions you need to make:

1. I won’t allow unfettered access.

If you’re eager to get ahead, you may be inclined to say yes to everyone and every request. But being busy is not the same as being productive, and allowing unlimited access can deplete your valuable time and energy. You must protect your time and focus on what matters most to make progress.

Learn to say no to the things and people who no longer serve you or your goals. Level up your inner circle with people who support and encourage your progress and limit your time with energy vampires. The beauty in saying no is that it will free you up to say yes to activities and people who align with your values and goals.

2. I won’t blame my lack of progress on someone else.

What holds you back isn’t external; it’s internal. As much as you’d like to believe that external forces (your boss, the pandemic, the economy, etc.) aren’t responsible for your growth (or lack thereof), the truth is that your mindset and attitude are what dictate your circumstances. The sooner you accept responsibility and become accountable for your actions, the faster you’ll make progress.

3. I won’t tolerate poor behavior.

The truth is we teach people how to treat us through what we allow or condone. If you continually accommodate or excuse bad behavior—a client who is habitually late in paying you or someone who constantly cancels or reschedules your meetings—you’ll forever be dealing with it. Yes, emergencies happen, but when they become the norm versus the exception, you need to communicate your expectations. The only people who will be bothered by the boundaries you enforce are those who have none. Remember, if you’re not changing it, you’re choosing it.

4. I’ll stop doing the things I hate.

Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. For example, if you’re a visionary strategist who bristles at the thought of balancing her books, hire someone you trust to do them for you. Likewise, if you spend far too much time going back and forth with clients trying to find mutually agreeable meeting times, invest in scheduling software to take that headache away. And if you find yourself doing something that brings you neither joy nor revenue, stop doing it altogether. When you delete, delegate, automate, or outsource what you hate doing, you can put your talents to their highest and best use.

5. I won’t be ruled by fear.

Fear is a powerful emotion. It often masquerades as a cloak of protection, keeping us from doing things that may cause us harm. But sometimes, the real damage comes from the inaction that fear enables. Procrastinating and waiting for the “perfect moment” to do something is an exercise in futility; that time never comes. If you want to make career progress, you must step out of your comfort zone and take action before you’re ready. As one of my favorite quotes from George Addair states: “Everything you’ve ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear.”

Remember, what you vow to stop doing can be even more powerful than what you resolve to do. And by making these five career anti-resolutions, you’ll remove any barriers to your growth.

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