It’s that time of the year. The Holiday season is all around us, the Christmas lights are probably still hanging up, and everyone’s thinking of what resolution to make for themselves in 2014.
But this year, don’t just come up with a personal resolution. Create a business one as well!
Creating Your Professional Resolution
When trying to figure out your professional resolution, you have to be able to think objectively about yourself. If your boss is always staring disdainfully at a pile of papers on your desk, and one or two assignments has slipped past you by accident during December – then perhaps an organizational course might be just the ticket to making 2014 better than 2013. But if your job requires creativity, a messy workplace can be the most productive workplace.
Your New Year’s resolution might also be to get the recognition that you deserve at your job. Remember, January is typically a time when departments are assigned new budgets, and managers are looking to start off their annual reports the right way. If you’ve been making big strides, then this could be the perfect month to have a talk with your boss about a raise or promotion. Just approach the situation calmly and professionally, and be able to back up your reasons with actual examples from the job.
Another professional resolution that could have long term benefits at your job is a renewed education. Yes, we know you haven’t taken many courses since graduating all those years ago. But there is a reason that we all go to school for so long. Learning is essential to your professional growth, and as wonderful as on-the-job experience is, there are some things that are best learned in a classroom environment (like Registry Forensics). As an added bonus, talk to your boss to see if your company might sponsor your education – many companies appreciate that their employees are trying to better themselves, and are willing to make the investment in you once you show the initiative.
…or Change Your Profession!
Your resolution doesn’t necessarily need to be about making your current career path greater. Perhaps a new strategy is what you’re looking for.
To this, we say “Yes!” New Orleans is an amazing city for entrepreneurs, so if you’re considering this option, take the plunge. There is an immense amount of resources available, from Idea Village and their support of crazy ideas, to the social ventures over at Propeller. In addition, new endeavors like New Orleans’ own FundDat can help you raise the money for your company. And of course, there’s always the more traditional paths towards fundraising, including getting loans from your local New Orleans or Metairie Banks as well as finding grants and larger venture capital partners. If you’re seeking money, and you have the research and numbers to back up a well-written business plan, New Orleans is certainly the city you want to be in.
Keeping the Resolution
Resolutions are, statistically speaking, difficult to keep – 88% of them fail. Once you make the resolution, also set out steps along the way to keep it. Drastic changes very rarely work, so small steps along the way to the final goal will help you progress.
Another tip for keeping up your resolution is sharing it with others. By letting your friends, family, or other Silicon Bayou readers know about a resolution, you’re more likely to keep it (thank you peer pressure.) For that reason, please feel free to share in the comments below what your New Year’s Resolution is going to be!
This guest post was written by Flynn Zaiger in association with Hibernia Bank. The views expressed herein are those of the author and not necessarily those of any financial institution or bank. This article is intended to provide those reading it with information about matters of current interest. It should not be construed as legal or financial advice concerning a specific topic and should not be acted upon without contacting the appropriate professionals.