Building Stronger Habits 10 Ways by Marc LeVine

It seems like we are always trying to remake ourselves several times each year. First, we make New Year's resolutions that evaporate by February. Then, comes our spring renewal phase that ends once we start thinking about planning summer vacation. And, yes - everyone feels they have to sign up for something, right after Labor Day. How long does that last, as we begin planning for the holidays? None of this stuff EVER seems to gain much real traction, because it is merely "traditional hype" tied to a particular season; not to one's dedicated purpose and commitment.

Instead of all this, why not consider adopting some helpful new habits that don't force you to make promises to yourself you can't keep? Here are 10 things we can all easily fit into our lives without making much sacrifice. Conversely, these things will help make our lives much richer.

1. Set goals.?Taking a trip without a road map will never get you to where you want to go without losing precious time making many wrong turns. It's not another unmanageable New Years Resolution we need each January; just clear personal and career targets we can aim for -- and hit - regularly, throughout the year.

2. Document your successes.?Keep track of what you've done as the year progresses, so you are able to account for your progress and then, build upon it.

3. List new?skills?you'll need.?Always be honest with yourself and admit where you may fall short. Where might you benefit from additional education, training and experience? Gain feedback from your supervisors, mentors and co-workers. Ask them questions. Hear what they may recommend you learn more about. Consider their best, well-meaning advice.

4. Manage your reputation

xcept for perhaps your mother, no one knows you better than Google. Find out what Google has to say about you, as an individual. Keep your Social Media in ship shape and work to clean up those things that might detract from your professional and personal reputation. Follow the steps to good reputation management, offered in numerous professional articles on the web.

5.?Keep an eye on the future.?What's new in your job and career field? Are you keeping pace with change? Are you prepared to address even more difficult challenges and embrace new ways of doing things? Read, watch and listen to as much as you possible can about the latest and greatest improvements taking place in your professional "world." You -at least - want to stay competitive with most others involved in your line of work.

6. Break out of your rut.?There is nothing worse than being bored at work. Challenge yourself to further job and career enhancements, by looking for additional ways to enrich your work. Why not take some classes and or ask your supervisor for more challenging assignments from which you can learn and grow in your present job... and beyond?

7. Join a professional association or take a more active role in one where you are a member.?Network and contribute. Meet new people, who do what you do for a living. Learn more about their unique approaches to their projects and what tools they may have used to accomplish better results. Volunteer within your association and collaborate with others, who can also help shape your own future.

8. Be flexible.?Stop telling others why their ideas won't work or that your way is the only way. Keep an open mind to new and different thinking. Be willing to try out new ways of solving old problems. Avoid immediately "shooting down" even the most theoretical of alternatives, which others have offered for consideration.

9. Make new friends.?Expand your network of friends and acquaintances. Life is much more interesting and exciting when we encounter new people; have fun and share experiences with them. New friends offer new benefits to our lives. When we engage with them, we do the same for them and we all grow, together.

10. Keep an eye on the important things.?Don't let your engine get out of tune. Don't stagnate, while others around you, innovate. Physical and emotional well-being are most important to us. Take care of yourself, from top to bottom. We always need to be at the top of our game to succeed in life. Not paying close attention to ourselves and the world around us may produce some unfortunate outcomes for us.