Right now I’m busy running kids to activities, shopping for presents and going to holiday gatherings. Let’s face it – it can all be a bit much!
While this time of year is about giving to others, I wonder when, if at all, we give ourselves permission to give to ourselves.
Now I’m not talking about going for coffee with a friend, taking time to read a book or getting a pedicure (but that does sound great right about now). I’m talking about taking the time to invest in YOU!
As 2018 winds down, make sure you carve out some time for you. Set aside an hour to think about how you are going to invest in yourself in 2019. Trust me, no one (including your boss) is thinking – how can I help this person grow next year. It’s up to you to make your personal and professional growth a priority. Something that actually happens versus a vague thought that gets pushed aside due to the craziness of life.
Your vision
Think about your vision for you – as a professional and a person. If you’re working for an organization, is there a promotion or new job you are hoping to get? What skills and experience are needed? Or are you wanting to continue to grow in your current role?
For those of you who are business owners or self employed, what challenges or obstacles are holding you back? What areas do you need to focus on in 2019 and what skills are needed?
Regardless of where you work or your job title, I promise you that communications skills are high on your list (or should be) of areas to develop. These skills are the foundation to being a successful leader, professional, and overall person.
Who’s your inspiration?
There is so much power listening to someone who is a strong communicator. Think about the people you admire in your personal life or in the media. How do they hold themselves (body language)? Convey information (facts, stories or a combination)? How impactful are they in getting their message across?
While few of us will ever be Oprah, we can still have the confidence and skills to be heard with clarity and impact. But like all skills, it takes a bit of training and practice. You need to invest in you.
The first time I spoke at a conference I was totally winging it. But I made a commitment to invest in myself to grow my skills. I studied the other speakers, taking notes of their techniques, while watching the audience to see what resonated and what fell flat. I quickly learned that having 20 slides and telling stories to personalize and explain the material was way more effective than having 120 slides and plowing through the information (which I’ve seen way too often).
Set goals
As 2018 winds down, get clear on your goals for 2019 in terms of professional development. What skills do you want to learn or improve? How much time do you have to commit? And how do you best learn – online courses, conferences, corporate training?
A new year is a time for new opportunities. It’s a blank canvas for you to create the picture you want. So instead of being passive and letting others dictate your year (and your future), make investing in yourself a priority. After all, if you don’t think it’s important, neither will anyone else.
Don’t let 2019 pass by in a blur. Rather make it the year you investing in yourself and experienced personal and professional growth.
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