Four Steps To Energize Your Career In 2023

The start of every new year is a natural time to reflect on where you have been and where you are going. That’s true professionally as well as personally. Making grand resolutions to change jobs or get a coveted promotion can feel daunting, but there are smaller steps you can take to charge your career with purpose and energy in 2023.

Assess your priorities

The demands of a high-level position can be overwhelming. And finding a healthy synergy between your professional and personal life is crucial for long-term success. But what does success mean to you? The definition may well be different to you than it is to someone else, and it may even be different to you this year than it was a year ago.

So, the first step in energizing your career should be to take a step back and consider your priorities. Make some lists: What is important to you? What do you hope to accomplish personally and professionally in 2023? Maybe you would like more time with family, to gain some new skills, or find more meaningful work. Maybe you’d like a specific job title, greater compensation, or to win a big-ticket client.

How do your values align with what you hope to accomplish this year? Putting serious thought into these questions will give you valuable perspective on what to prioritize this year and, by extension, where to direct your career.?

The term “work-life balance” is commonly used but, say some, it is a mis-labeling of the reality individuals face.

“...[T]he word “balance'' is one that I don't use,” says Abigail Epane-Osuala, former head of HR, Global Supply Chain Enterprise Functions & Procurement for Johnson & Johnson. “I use the term “harmonizing of my life and work ” because there's really no balance.”?

CEO of consulting firm PerformancePoint, Brad Federman, expands on the notion of “the elusive ‘work-life balance” in a contribution to Forbes.?

“Life is shifting and nothing is permanent, which means that finding a perfect balance is incredibly difficult,” writes Federman. “The myth of balance leaves little room for change or resilience.”

Yes, life is always shifting. More’s the reason, therefore, to take time each year to assess your priorities and make sure that the career path you are on leads to goals that you have targeted. If you do find that you are lost in the woods, take steps to set boundaries, delegate tasks, find ways to reduce stress, or make whatever changes are necessary to get yourself back on track.

Track your achievements

One of the easiest ways to energize your career is chronically overlooked: Tracking your achievements. The simple act of logging accolades, awards, and accomplishments as they occur has multiple benefits for you and your career.?

The most obvious, of course, is that tracking your achievements provides you with a ready reference list when it comes time to demonstrate your value proposition to someone, whether that person is a prospective client that you’re trying to win over, your boss during your annual review, or a recruiter who is exploring your candidacy for a new role.

Time flies, especially when you are busy, and it may be hard to remember the details of a job well done well after you’ve done it. But by keeping score regularly, you can make a compelling case to someone, whenever the moment arises, in the ways that you can benefit them because you have a record of having done so – with dates and figures, no less – to back up your claims. (And having this information at your fingertips will be a boon whenever you might need to update your resume!)

A list of your achievements will also help you make the case to your boss that you deserve the role when you’re gunning for a promotion. Don’t assume that your boss will have a list of your accomplishments as extensive as yours – if she has a list at all. It’s incumbent upon you to be well prepared for that conversation.

If for no other reason, keeping a list of your achievements will make you feel good about yourself when you’re having a bad day. It’s a physical reminder that you have a lot going for you even when you feel like nothing is going well for you.

Invest in yourself

You invest in your home, your retirement fund, your education, your kids, and many other things that you value in your life. Your career is also one of the most valuable assets you possess. So why wouldn’t you invest in it, too?

Investment can take many forms. It might involve learning new skills, networking with industry peers, or seeking out opportunities for advancement. Investing in your own development can help not only to advance your career, but also to make you a more valuable asset to your company.??

Naturally, investing in yourself takes time and, sometimes, money. And it’s easy to overlook when life gets busy. Have you put off leadership classes, earning certifications, joining professional groups, or boning up on the latest innovations in your industry? The start of a new year is a great time to consider the most effective ways to invest in yourself and strategize how to carve out the time to make them happen in the coming year. It's time to make YOU a priority.?

Give back to your community

Increasingly, companies are recognizing the corporate benefits of charitable endeavors within their communities. Companies that give back find that they are better able to attract top talent who are aligned with their organizational values. This alignment offers universal rewards beyond the tangible. In addition to benefiting those in need, it bolsters a company's corporate reputation as well as employee morale.?

It’s important to note the benefits of giving back work at the individual level, too. Whether it's through volunteering, mentorship, or charitable donations, finding ways to be a positive force in your community can be personally enriching and, quite often, professionally rewarding. In addition to feeling a greater sense of purpose, giving back to your community is a great way to develop new relationships, gain valuable new professional experiences, and build social capital.??

“Volunteering gives people a sense of purpose, and the fulfilling feeling of giving back is an incredibly rewarding and life-changing experience. Charity makes you feel like you're making a difference and contributing, spreads happiness, builds friendships, improves social networks, inspires you to do more, and boosts self-confidence,” says Sumithra BK, corporate secretary and “Purpose Champion ” for Nasdaq India.

Who couldn’t use a little inspiration and sense of purpose this year? If career is important to you in 2023, try these four small steps to breathe new life into yours.?

If energizing your career this year leads you to look for a new executive position, contact us at The Barrett Group . Helping executives in their career changes is our specialty. Submit your resume here for a consultation.