From wrapping up work projects to tackling holiday shopping, if there’s one thing you need to make time for as the year ends, it’s a career audit – or as I like to call it, ‘your opportunity to supercharge your future’.
1: Celebrate Your Wins
When was the last time you truly celebrated your achievements? The first step in a career audit is acknowledging everything you’ve accomplished over the past year. Take a moment to sit down with a journal or a digital document and list out your wins.
By acknowledging your achievements, you’ll have a positive reminder of your abilities. On a rough day, this record can be just the motivation you need to keep going.
2: Analyze Your Challenges and Setbacks
No career audit is complete without taking a close look at the moments that challenged you. Ask yourself: What made this experience difficult?
What did I learn? What could I have done anything differently?
3: Check in With Your Passion and Purpose
A career audit is the perfect opportunity to ask yourself the ultimate question: Am I enjoying my work? Whether you’re working for a company, freelancing, or managing your own business, it’s crucial to feel a connection to what you do.
If you find that your passion has evaporated, you need to decide what you can change. Maybe you need more responsibility, a new project, or even a new job.
4: Evaluate Your Skills – Are You Growing?
A career audit also means taking a hard look at your present skillset. Are you keeping up? Write out a “skills inventory” that includes: New skills you picked up this year.
Once you’ve done this, make a plan. Identify any courses, certifications, or mentorship opportunities that can help you bridge the gap.
5: Assess Your Work-Life Balance & Wellbeing
The end of the year is the perfect time to reflect on how your job has impacted your personal life. Work-life balance isn’t just a trendy concept; it’s essential to avoid burnout and stay mentally healthy. Consider this :
Do I set boundaries with work?
Do I feel well-rested and mentally refreshed, or am I constantly tired? Your well-being is as important as your achievements; without it, long-term success is impossible.
6: Visualize Your Goals for the Next Year
Split your goals into short-term and long-term objectives. Maybe your short-term goal is to lead a new project, while your long-term goal might be to transition to a new role. Write these goals down, and take action to move things forward.
7: Identify Your Support System
Finally, a career audit is a chance to recognize the people who support you. Networking doesn’t have to be a painful chore; it’s about forming relationships with people who inspire you and support your journey.
Utilize your audit as the chance to be honest about what’s working and what isn’t. Your career’s more than just a job. It’s a life journey that deserves your engaged, proactive attention.
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